Member for Ballina Tamara Smith MP today called on the Health Minister to urgently fund more nurses on night shift at Ballina Hospital.
“The Ballina NSW Nurses and Midwives branch have highlighted that there is only a single nurse on night shift at Ballina Hospital who has the role of emergency clinical review, alongside a treating doctor,” said Ms Smith.
“The single nurse on night shift is also required to undertake all non- clinical duties and can be pulled away from direct patient care to check on front door access, answer phones and book more patients.
“This raises concerns about patient safety and about safety and workloads for staff members at Ballina Hospital. It also raises questions about why regional hospitals not being accorded the same staffing and resources as city hospitals.
“That’s why today I have written to the Health Minister Brad Hazzard to urgently ensure there is more funding for an additional registered nurse on night shifts at Ballina Hospital and for a staffing review of the Emergency Department at the hospital,” said Ms Smith.