Fifty extra nurses have started working at Canberra Hospital and Calvary Public Hospital Bruce, and 40 more will come by mid-year – part of the ACT Government’s plan to recruit 400 more frontline healthcare workers by 2024 and improve ratios for nurses and midwives.

Having more nurses in ACT hospitals will improve patient care, reduce the risk of medical complications, and improve occupational safety and job satisfaction for healthcare staff, said Rachel Stephen-Smith, ACT Minister for Health.

Ms Stephen-Smith announced last year the nurses would be recruited. In the 2020 election, Labor promised to introduce nursing and midwifery ratios across the public health system. Ratios mandate a minimum number of nurses or midwives to ensure the health system is safe and effective for both patients and staff, the government stated.

According to a survey by the ACT Branch of the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (ANMF) last August, a third of Canberra’s nurses and midwives were psychologically distressed, due to overwork, inadequate staffing, and poor roster management.

Ms Stephen-Smith said today the ACT Government had worked closely with the ANMF to establish the new nurse-to-patient ratios.

The first phase of ratios were introduced in general medical, general surgical, acute aged care, and mental health wards / units on 1 February.

“Ratios mean there will be more nurses, and nurses with a greater range of skills, on critical shifts and wards at Canberra Hospital and Calvary Public Hospital Bruce,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.

A typical improvement will mean a nurse on a day shift in a medical ward will care for four patients instead of five.

“ACT Public Sector nurses now have some of the best ratio conditions in Australia,” ANMF: ACT Branch posted on Facebook. “This is a big win for ANMF ACT members who campaigned to achieve safer workplaces for nurses and midwives and safe patient care.”

Over the next year, the second phase will develop minimum ratios for other clinical areas such as women’s and children’s health, critical care, perioperative care, and oncology, the ANMF ACT Branch said.

“The ANMF ACT Branch remains committed to fighting for ratios for nurses and midwives working in other wards/units.”