NSW: Nurses blast call for staff cuts at Wollongong

AAP General News (Australia)
12-02-1998
NSW: Nurses blast call for staff cuts at Wollongong

SYDNEY, Dec 2 AAP - A report recommending a New South Wales south coast hospital cut
nursing staff by more than 10 per cent was unrealistic, nurses said today.

NSW Nurses Association officials were briefed yesterday and today on the report, which
recommended about 160 full-time-equivalent (FTE) staff positions, including more than 50
nursing positions, be cut at Wollongong hospital, a statement issued by the association said.

Association members would meet tomorrow to discuss the report, the Wollongong Hospital
Efficiency Review, conducted by consultant John Bissett.

Association general secretary Sandra Moait (Moait) warned that implementation of the cuts
would create industrial tension.

"We will strenuously resist the recommended staff cuts," Ms Moait said in the statement,
adding that there were a number of discrepancies in the reports methodology.

"I cant believe anyone would seriously suggest cutting nursing staff at Wollongong by over
10 per cent."

She called on Illawarra Area Health Service Management to reject the report.

"Failure to do so will cause considerable industrial tension at the Wollongong hospital,"
Ms Moait said.

The proposed cuts included 22 ward nurses, 13 from the emergency department and 19 from the
operating theatres.

"Frankly, I think it is time consultants like Mr Bissett went away and left NSW nurses to
get on with their jobs," Ms Moait said.

"I dont see why the nurses and patients of the Illawarra should suffer because of a budget
overrun at the hospital.

"How will cutting theatre nurse numbers by 19 shorten hospital waiting lists?"

AAP rat/sk

KEYWORD: NURSES

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