Nursing cuts pose serious risk
Feb 20, 2012
Martin Hamilton-Smith MP
Shadow Minister for Health & Ageing
Shadow Minister for Mental Health
Shadow Minister for Substance Abuse
Nursing cuts pose serious risk
The Liberal Opposition is calling on Health Minister John Hill to explain reports of allegedly illegal and unsafe levels of understaffing in Adelaide hospitals.
“Serious concerns raised this morning over inadequate staffing numbers for nurses require a full and immediate explanation from Minister Hill and his department” Shadow Minister for Health Martin Hamilton-Smith said.
“Nurses and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation clearly disagree with the staffing formulas used by Minister Hill in terms of providing safe and adequate care for patients.
“These concerns follow on the back of nursing staff protests at Mount Gambier two weeks ago over continuing failure to provide proper staffing numbers at all times.
“The well-being and safety of vulnerable patients waiting for major surgery should be a fundamental principle of hospital policy. Our nurses deserve the full support and confidence of their department and Minister to carry out their vital duties with appropriate staffing ratios.
“I will personally be writing to the Coroner to alert him to the concerns raised by nurses this morning. Any death or serious injury arising from the affected units at the Royal Adelaide Hospital should be fully investigated.
“Health CEO David Swan and Minister Hill should be held to account if their staffing directive are seen to contribute to any death or additional injury” Mr Hamilton-Smith said.