Nurses across the Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) and the state will take to the streets again for the second consecutive month in a bid to improve nursing ratios.

Despite new orders made against the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA) from the Industrial Relations Commission that bans the planned industrial action, planned strikes and rallies are planned to go ahead from 7am today (31 March). 

Public rallies hosted across the state, including Dubbo, are set to highlight the ongoing short staffing, workloads and patient safety concerns. 



The 24 hour walk off (time varies depending on facility) follows the inaction from the NSW Government in addressing the staffing crisis or making workplace improvements since the initial strike almost six weeks ago. 

NSWNMA General Secretary Brett Holmes said nurses and midwives were distressed by the state government’s failure to address their calls, and that it is beginning to impede on patient safety 

“In the past five weeks there have been multiple ‘code yellow’ incidents across the state, which signals an internal staffing emergency inside a health facility. These are becoming more frequent across metropolitan and regional sites because of the staffing issues,” Mr Holmes said. 

Several NSWNMA members from health facilities across the Western Plains plan to participate in the industrial action, including Gilgandra, Trangie, Cobar and Warren. WNSWLHD Nurse Managers also intend to strike for 24 hours. 

“We’ve had ongoing reports of nurses and midwives working double shifts and increased amounts of overtime, gaps in staffing roosters going unfilled for weeks, vacant positions being left unfilled formonths, as well as daily text messages begging staff to pick up extra shifts,” Mr Holmes said. 

The NSWNMA has had no offer from the government since meeting with the NSW Premier on 21 February. 

The lack of response led to a vote for a second strike where over 160 branches will participate, despite orders from the Industrial Relations Commission to ‘cease organising and refrain from taking industrial action’ following a dispute filed by the Ministry of Health. 

The orders called upon the NSWNMA to announce the retraction of the recommendation of members to strike tomorrow, but at the time of publishing, industrial action is still to take place.

NSWNMA Assistant General Secretary Shaye Candish said unless the government agreed to a meaningful dialogue on safe staffing ratios, and recognises the success in Queensland and Victoria from the introduction of ratios, more staff would continue to leave NSW. 

“The government cannot keep its head in the sand and ignore the serious issues raised by its clinical nursing and midwifery workforce - the staff who are obligated to speak up when professional standards aren’t met, and patient safety is compromised,” Ms Candish said. 

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