newy.com.au – John Hunter Hospital will begin the process of implementing safe staffing levels in its postnatal ward as part of a NSW Government expansion of maternity staffing reforms across seven public hospitals.
John Hunter is one of seven hospitals with dedicated postnatal wards included in the rollout, alongside Campbelltown, Liverpool, Nepean, Royal Hospital for Women, Royal Prince Alfred and Westmead. The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce, made up of representatives from NSW Health, local health districts and the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association, will plan the rollout and determine staffing numbers for each ward.
The government said the broader reform had already started in 56 emergency departments across NSW, with more than 820 full-time equivalent nurses recruited to date, and that it had committed to 2,480 additional full-time equivalent nurses and midwives in key clinical areas.
The announcement comes with the appointment of Donna Garland as NSW Health’s inaugural Chief Midwife, a role created in response to the NSW Birth Trauma Inquiry. NSW Health said the position would help lead policy and workforce strategies for midwifery and support more respectful, compassionate, trauma-informed and culturally safe maternity care.
Health Minister Ryan Park said: “By beginning the process of implementing Safe Staffing Levels in dedicated postnatal wards, we are providing support to our hardworking midwives that aims to provide a better experience for women and their families.”
