NCAHS: Labor Calls for Round Three of Harsh Front Line Staff Cuts

17 July 2009

A leaked document obtained by the Liberal and Nationals detailing the NSW Labor Government’s third round of staff cuts at Port Macquarie hospital has sparked serious concern given the recent bed blocks forcing ambulances to wait for hours, Duty Member for Port Macquarie Melinda Pavey said today.

The North Coast Area Health Service (NCAHS) memo to all network managers specifies that there will be another harsh spate of job cuts with the deletion of Full Time Equivalent positions that were rejected last round to be pushed through this round.

“These documents show that Nathan Rees and John Della Bosca have been loose with the truth when it comes to job cuts in the NCAHS, given that in the mini-budget they promised not to cut front line staff,” Mrs Pavey said.

“The NSW Labor Government has already cut jobs at the Port Macquarie Hospital, despite it being the fastest growing centre in NSW, and now they want to do it again.

“The memo also revealed the NSW Labor Government’s plan to employ only casual staff when a full timer is on sick leave, which means they will only work a six hour shift, rather than eight hour shift.

“This will put patient lives at risk as there is no handover time for the nurse to brief the incoming nurse on the patients condition. This also means that at times no one is covering the ward or nurses work overtime without getting paid.

“Reports are also circulating that it is getting to the point where there is almost not enough nurses to operate the elective surgery theatre and they may have to close it down.

“What makes matters worse is that more and more frequently Port Macquarie Hospital is experiencing bed blocks forcing ambulances to wait for up to two hours until they can off load patients.

“The thought of making even more cuts at this already over-crowded hospital is frightening, which is why I am calling for a stop to be put on the staff cuts across the NCAHS. The last thing we want is to see patients die because of Labor’s harsh job cuts.

“This week the community uproar and the Liberal and Nationals ongoing pressure forced the failing Labor Government to put a hold on the staff cuts under the Greater Southern Area Health Service until it has been reviewed.

“At the very least, the NSW Labor Government should apply this decision to the NCAHS whose hospitals are also bordering on crisis point.

“In contrast, the NSW Liberal and Nationals have positive and practical plans to help NSW restore openness and integrity to the hospital system,” Mrs Pavey said.