Campbelltown Hospital has become the latest NSW hospital to implement the safe staffing levels initiative.
The hospital recently completed a successful recruitment campaign of more than 41 nurses in the emergency department to facilitate the safe staffing level requirements.
The staffing boost will enable a one-to-one nursing care ratio for generally occupied emergency department resuscitation beds on all shifts, one nurse to three generally occupied treatment spaces and short stay unit beds on all shifts.
The safe staffing levels taskforce was established to oversee the rollout of the government’s commitment to boost staff numbers by of 2,480 over four years.
Phase one started in the level 5 and 6 emergency departments, which treat the most critically ill patients, and is now being implemented progressively across other key areas in a phased approach.
Member for Campbelltown Greg Warren, pictured above outside the hospital, welcomed the boost to staff levels.
“This important reform aims to provide better support to our hard working frontline health staff, and more timely, personalised care to the community here in Campbelltown,” he said.
Minister for health Ryan Park, who took in a tour of the Camden Hospital palliative care ward this morning, said that completing the roll out of safe staffing levels in the emergency department at Campbelltown Hospital was a “significant accomplishment’’.
“The Minns Labor Government is continuing to deliver safe staffing levels, one of the most significant reforms in the way our hospitals have been staffed in decades,’’ he said.
Mr Park also confirmed the $3 million investment to deliver a new acute palliative care ward at Campbelltown Hospital and increase the subacute palliative care capacity at Camden Hospital.
The subacute ward at Camden will focus on restorative care and long-term quality of life and wellbeing.
The investment will ensure improved access for palliative patients requiring ongoing medical care such as radiation therapy or dialysis.
The Campbelltown Hospital program will create a new tailored ward for palliative care patients with a new nurse call system and upgraded computer systems.
The Camden Hospital program will revamp the old maternity ward to create an expanded palliative care ward with renovated bathrooms designed specifically to support palliative care patients, a new nurse call system and patient experience enhancements, including access to an outdoor courtyard.
Planning and design for the enhanced services will be guided by community consultation with staff and patients to ensure the upgraded facilities are comfortable, practical and honour the heritage of the original Camden site.