Lismore Base Hospital is the latest site in NSW to commence the rollout of the new Safe Staffing Levels in its emergency department, with recruitment underway for approximately 29 FTE (full-time equivalent) additional nurses to meet Safe Staffing Level requirements.

The staffing boost at Lismore and Port Macquarie Base Hospitals facilitates staffing levels based on a one-to-one nursing care ratio for generally occupied Emergency Department (ED) resuscitation beds on all shifts, and one nurse to three generally occupied ED treatment spaces and ED short-stay unit beds on all shifts.

This follows discussions with the Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce – established to oversee the rollout of the Government’s commitment of the equivalent of 2,480 full-time employees over four years towards staffing levels. It includes key leaders from the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA), NSW Health, and local health districts.

Implementation of safe staffing level areas is scheduled to occur in phases over the next three years.

Phase one of safe staffing levels is initially commencing in Level 5 and Level 6 EDs, which treat the most critically ill patients, and will then be progressively implemented across other hospitals and departments.

The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce will review the initial rollout at these facilities to help inform the rollout at future sites.

The Lismore and Northern Rivers housing crisis has contributed to below-average statistics in the quarterly Bureau of Health Information results for Lismore Base Hospital.

Key areas, such as transferring patients from paramedics to the emergency department (ED) decreased from 82.3% to 67.3%, bottom of the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD). Patients starting treatment on time in the ED was 57.6%, while the NNSWLHD average was 73.8%, and patients leaving the ED within 4 hours was 52.5% with the NNSWLHD average 72.5%.

Where and how 29 new FTE nurses will eventually be accommodated was not addressed in the state government's statement. A spokesperson for NNSWLHD said, recruitment is now underway for additional nurses for the Lismore Base Hospital Emergency Department. 

"The Northern NSW Local Health District offers a range of programs to support new staff who are relocating to the area. These can include assisting new staff to connect with local accommodation providers, incentives and relocation allowances available as part of the Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme or short-term bridging accommodation where required.  

"The NSW Government has also committed an additional $200.1 million to increase key health worker accommodation across rural and regional areas of the state as part of the 2024-25 NSW Budget. Lismore has been identified as one of the priority locations for this program." 

A Level 5 Grade 6 nurse in NSW earns approximately $124,000 per year, according to Medshop, so with a rental house out of the floodplain costing around $650 per week, that represents about 27% of the salary. An entry-level Registered Nurse earns around $60,000, which represents 55% of their salary, leaving $503 for weekly expenses and entertainment.

Clearly, the Safe Staffing Levels program needs to roll out quickly for the BHI Quarterly percentages to increase with affordable housing an obvious hurdle.

Implementing safe staffing levels is just one of a range of measures that the NSW Government is embracing to build a more supported health workforce, including:

1.       abolishing the wages cap and delivering the highest pay increase in over a decade for nurses and other health workers;

2.       beginning to roll out 500 additional paramedics in regional, rural and remote communities; and

3.       introducing the health worker study subsidies scheme.

Regional Health Minister Ryan Park said, “The rollout of Safe Staffing Levels aims to improve the experience of our patients and staff and boost retention, capacity and capability in our hospitals.

“The Safe Staffing Levels initiative involves the introduction of minimum staffing levels on every shift, which will result in more nurses employed in hospitals right across the state.

“The rollout began earlier this year at Liverpool Hospital and Royal North Shore Hospitals, with Port Macquarie Base Hospital and Lismore Base Hospital now coming on board.

“Importantly, this reform will deliver improved nursing numbers to provide care for patients while supporting our frontline healthcare staff.

“I look forward to working with representatives from the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association and NSW Health as part the Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce as they review this rollout and use these experiences to help inform safe staffing levels implementation at future sites.”

Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said, “This initiative aims to support the attraction and retention of health staff to Lismore and the Northern NSW Local Health District to help ensure local patients have better access to safe, high-quality care.

“This will make a big difference to nurses in the emergency department at Lismore Base Hospital, and be a major benefit for everyone in the community who requires emergency care at the hospital.”

Please attribute to a spokesperson for Northern NSW Local Health District: 

Recruitment is now underway for additional nurses for the Lismore Base Hospital Emergency Department. 

The Northern NSW Local Health District offers a range of programs to support new staff who are relocating to the area. These can include assisting new staff to connect with local accommodation providers, incentives and relocation allowances available as part of the Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme or short-term bridging accommodation where required.  

The NSW Government has also committed an additional $200.1 million to increase key health worker accommodation across rural and regional areas of the state as part of the 2024-25 NSW Budget. Lismore has been identified as one of the priority locations for this program.