Australia implements reform to boost frontline healthcare worker numbers

Phase one of the initiative aims to deliver more nurses and midwives by July 2027.

Australia has announced the rollout of a major staffing reform to boost the number of frontline healthcare workers in New South Wales (NSW) public hospitals. 

Phase one of recruitment under the safe staffing levels reform is set to deliver more nurses and midwives until July 2027.

Initially commencing in levels 5 and 6 emergency departments (EDs) where most critically ill patients are treated, phase one of the initiative will be progressively implemented across other hospitals and departments.

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Meanwhile, Liverpool and Royal North Shore Hospitals are the first two sites in NSW to roll out the new initiative. 

The two hospitals have begun recruitment for approximately 70 funded full-time equivalent (FTE) nurses across both sites, with some nurses already recruited for each hospital.

“The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce will review this initial rollout at Liverpool and Royal North Shore EDs and use these experiences to help inform the rollout at future sites,”  Health Minister, Ryan Park, said.