A promise of almost 5000 new frontline health staff including an extra 2250 nurses and midwives in yesterday’s NSW Budget has been applauded by the Australian College of Nursing (ACN).
Health services right across the state were the big winners, with a record $23 billion to be spent on health over the next four years – $21.7 billion to be spent in the next year alone.
A big slice of the funding will go towards hospital upgrades including at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney’s east, Nepean Hospital in Sydney’s west and Gosford Hospital on the state’s Central Coast.
To support the upgrades, health services can expect an extra 4500 workers including 2250 nurses and midwives, 850 doctors, 600 health professionals and 800 hospital support staff.
ACN Chief Executive Officer, Adjunct Professor Kylie Ward FACN, said nurses were the backbone of the Australian health system and welcomed the NSW Government’s recognition of this yesterday.
“Every member of the community who needs health care will most likely receive a large portion of that care from a nurse – be it in general practice, schools, aged care, or hospital services,” Adjunct Professor Ward said.
“Care provided by qualified nurses can save lives, prevent complications, improve patient outcomes, promote well-being and save the health system money.
“We must invest in and support our nursing workforce. I am so pleased that the NSW Government acknowledges this also.”