ACT Health has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with its nursing workforce to examine working hours and assess hospital workplace models in other jurisdictions that may be adopted in the ACT.
Signed with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), the MoU will see a ratios framework developed with a view to supporting a strong and sustainable nursing workforce for the ACT into the future.
Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Meegan Fitzharris said the move demonstrated a commitment to exploring nurse- and midwife-to-patient ratios in Canberra’s public hospitals to deliver safe staffing levels and quality care to patients.
Ms Fitzharris said the MoU would see ACT Health reviewing and evaluating existing nursing hours per patient day and assessing workload models, including ratio models, from other jurisdictions.
“Ratios are one of a number of mechanisms that factor in the acuity and workload of specific clinical areas to ensure appropriate staffing levels, with patient safety and quality of care at the core of this work,” Ms Fitzharris said.
“To progress this work as a priority, a technical review group between ACT Health and the ANMF is planned to be established.
“This group will be jointly chaired and focus on determining an appropriate methodology and process to ensure safe patient care is maintained”
Ms Fitzharris said she looked forward to continuing to work with the ACT Branch of the ANMF and updating the community as the work progressed.
