When the clock struck seven this morning, nurses around the state could hit snooze on their alarm as part of a 24-hour strike calling for patient ratios in every ward and on every shift. 

The strike marks the third time for the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) who have not faltered on their call from the government. 

In Warren, NSWNMA Branch Secretary Sarah Webb said that 100 per cent of nursing staff were in favour of the strike, with nurses rallying today. 

 “We are fighting for patient rations, one to four on the ward and one to three in ED (emergency department),” Ms Webb said. 



While the landscape of a Sydney hospital looks much different to a rural hospital, Ms Webb said the challenges local nurses are facing are terrible. 

“There are staff shortages, ED patients are waiting longer than ever before. With the recent change in Medicare, we are now really struggling as a public sector especially in emergency departments. And there’s a lot of (hospitals) that don't have staff for the emergency department,” she said. 

Ms Webb said she was disappointed to see NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet address the strike this morning without a single mention of ratios. 

“They’re putting bandaids on it. Right now they’ve given incentives of $10,000 for a nurse to come bush, straight off the cuff if you accept..it’s not retaining the staff like myself…and they’re still going to be put in the same situation we are,” she said. 

As a senior staff member, Ms Webb said that work has started to cause severe anxiety and distress. 

NSWNMA General Secretary Shaye Candish said the third statewide strike was necessary because of the NSW Government’s unwillingness to listen to the concerns of highly skilled clinicians about safe staffing and patient safety. 

“We need the NSW government to engage in meaningful discussions on introducing safe nursing and midwifery ratios across our state,” said Ms Candish. 

““What nurses and midwives are seeking is not unreasonable. The NSW government must prioritise patient care and commit to a safer staffing model with a guaranteed minimum number of nurses and midwives on every shift. The evidence is clear that ratios save lives and reduce costs.” 

The strike will finish at 7am tomorrow morning. 

During the 24-hour strike, life-preserving services will be maintained in all public hospitals and health services.