Labor Candidate for Lane Cove Andrew Zbik has welcomed the announcement that a Foley Labor Government will employ 840 additional nurses in NSW hospitals.

The 735 new nurses in emergency departments and 105 new nurses in paediatric wards will improve patient care, save lives and reduce waiting times at Royal North Shore Hospital and across NSW.

“I’m proud to be part of a Labor team committed to investing in health care” said Mr Zbik.

“A Foley Labor Government will ensure that patients in NSW public hospitals receive the best possible care by increasing the number of nurses in emergency departments and paediatric wards.”

The new nurses will be recruited in the first term of government, as part of the introduction of a nurse-to-patient ratio of one nurse for every three patients into emergency departments and paediatric wards.

Nurse staffing ratios represent the minimum number of nurses that can safely care for patients.

In addition, Labor will enshrine nurse-to-patient ratios in law – for the first time in NSW – so future governments and health officials will have to ensure nurse numbers are protected and not traded away.

“Royal North Shore Hospital’s pediatric/emergency department will benefit from today’s announcement of an additional 840 nurses to be allocated across the state.”

Labor’s plan will benefit 75 emergency departments and paediatric wards and one nurse for each resuscitation bed.

The additional nurses will cost an estimated $96 million over the forward estimates. 

“After four years of Liberal cuts – with $3 billion slashed from our health system – it’s time we had a Government that invested in health.”

“More nurses means better care for patients, improved waiting times and more lives saved.”