22 October 2025, 8:03 PM
Lismore Base Hospital is one of four NSW hospitals that have started rostering Safe Staffing Levels in its emergency departments (ED). The others are Bankstown-Lidcombe, Hornsby and Orange.
The state government said that 27 full-time equivalent nurses have been recruited to fulfil the Safe Staffing Level requirements at Lismore Base Hospital (LBH). That is 95 FTE nursing positions across the four hospitals.
The staffing boost enables the rostering of a one-to-one nursing care ratio for generally occupied 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.
The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce was established to oversee the rollout of the NSW Government’s commitment of 2,480 FTE over four years. It includes key leaders from the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA), NSW Health, and local health districts.
Phase one of Safe Staffing Levels commenced in the level five and six emergency departments, which treat some of the most critically ill patients, and is being implemented progressively across other key areas in a phased approach.
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:
Minister for Health, Ryan Park, said, “We are continuing to make good on our commitment to nurses with the introduction of safe staffing ratios in our hospitals - one of the largest structural reforms to our health workforce in a generation.
“Completing the rollout of safe staffing ratios in four more hospital emergency departments is a significant accomplishment and reflects the Minns Labor Government's commitment to continuing to improve service delivery.
“More staff, more hospitals, more beds, lower wait times and better patient outcomes – it’s as simple as that.”
Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin said, “Our dedicated nurses work hard every day, in the best possible way, to care for our communities when they need it the most.
“High quality healthcare depends on safe staffing, and the new ratios shows the Government’s commitment to a safer workplace for nurses and patients alike.
“I welcome these nurses to our region and wish them well in their careers.”