The ACT Government will allocate more than $86 million in the 2024-25 ACT Budget to recruit more than 137 new full-time equivalent nurses and midwives, as part of what it says is a continued effort to enhance staff safety, wellbeing, and patient care.

Health minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said the funding would support the implementation of phase two of mandated minimum nurse/midwife-to-patient ratios, developed in consultation with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation ACT.

The minister said these ratios support safe nursing and midwifery care, and improve working conditions for nurses and midwives.

Phase Two will be implemented across Canberra’s public hospitals and Clare Holland House, including maternity services, neonatal intensive care unit and special care nurseries, critical care, perioperative areas, subacute mental health units, cancer services, rehabilitation, and palliative care.

The budget announcement follows a $50 million investment in 2021–22 for phase one, which introduced nurse-to-patient ratios in general medical, surgical wards, aged care, and mental health.

Phase Two extends ratios to maternity services, including postnatal wards, and counts babies in staffing calculations, making the ACT the second Australian jurisdiction to do so, Ms Stephen-Smith said.

The mid-year Budget Review allocated more than $21 million to support elements of the proposed ACT Public Sector Nursing and Midwifery Enterprise Agreement, offering a $2000 education and development boost, an annual $750 professional development allowance, increased pay, and a review of rostering to improve work patterns and wellbeing.

“The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation has advocated strongly on behalf of its members to see ratios delivered in the ACT,” Ms Stephen-Smith said. “We will continue to work with the ANMF and other key stakeholders to ensure ratios are implemented effectively across our hospitals.

“Implementing ratios guarantees there will be more staff on the ward to provide care, and ensures an increased skill mix on each shift. Staff feel safer with more team members on the ward and importantly, are able to spend more time focusing on individual patients.

“Midwives and nurses have advocated for many years to count the baby in ratios to ensure they can provide safe care to women and babies. We have listened to the voices of these midwives and nurses, and will be implementing some of the most progressive changes to safer workloads in the country.

“The ACT Government remains committed to supporting nurses and midwives right across our ACT public health system.”

New program providing care to sick children at home

Another budget initiative is a Child and Adolescent Hospital in the Home Program, launched by Canberra Health Services, that provides healthcare and treatment to unwell children and adolescents in their own homes.

The program allows patients to be referred to the program from hospital wards, outpatient clinics or emergency departments. Paediatric nurses visit patients and treat them in their home, while staying in close communication with the patient’s medical treating team.

Ms Stephen-Smith said that this initiative helps children recover in a familiar, less stressful environment, while allowing families to remain together and be involved in the care process.

“A hospital stay is a stressful time for any person, particularly when they are away from their family for an extended period,” Ms Stephen-Smith said. “For parents and carers, splitting their time between the hospital and other children at home creates extra stress.

“This program supports children and adolescents to heal and recover in a familiar and less stressful environment, surrounded by their family.

“Home health care also encourages family involvement in the care process. By allowing family units to stay together, they can actively participate in a patient’s treatment and recovery without the extra stress of travel and separation.”

The program offers services such as intravenous antibiotic therapy for cellulitis or urinary tract infections; infusions to treat blood clotting or autoimmune diseases; and wound care. It aims to ensure continuity of care, reduce hospital readmissions, and lower the risk of infection for immunocompromised patients by minimising their exposure to other sick people in hospital.

Funded as part of a $15.8 million investment in the 2023-24 ACT Budget, the paediatric hospital in the home service is part of the Child and Adolescent Clinical Services Plan.

“The ACT Government will continue to invest in paediatric services and the workforce to ensure Canberra’s children and young people have access to quality healthcare when and where they need it,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.

Shannon Reakes, Acting Assistant Director of Nursing at Centenary Hospital for Women and Children, reported positive feedback from children and families accessing the service, “highlighting the ability to stay in the comfort of their own home whilst receiving treatment instead of in the hospital”.