Public hospital staff are to receive a one-off payment and free meals to attract and retain critically important staff as the State prepares for its busiest winter yet.
Announced by Premier Daniel Andrews, the Healthcare Worker Winter Retention and Surge Payment of $3,000 is to be offered to all staff working in public hospitals and ambulance services – including nurses, midwives, doctors, allied health professionals, paramedics, ward clerks and patient services assistants.
“Thousands of health staff in both clinical and non-clinical roles who have also been working under immense pressure in roles critical to the functioning of our health system will be provided the payment, including those working in cleaning, food services and laundry services,” Mr Andrews said.
“Over the past few months, health services have experienced challenges in filling night shifts – which is why the package will also include free meals for workers who put their hands up to work overnight from July until the end of the year,” he said.
“These initiatives – while clearly not ending the ongoing workforce challenges being experienced around Australia – represent a modest but meaningful way to support and retain healthcare workers within the public system.”
Mr Andrews said that to be eligible for the full package, workers would need to be employed by a public health service before 1 July and still be employed on 30 September.
The Premier said the payments would be made in two rounds, one after 15 August and one after 30 September.
“Those who start between 1 July and 30 September will be eligible for a pro-rata payment, providing an added incentive to help attract more staff to our public hospitals,” he said.
