❓ Question regarding the cost and operational impact of employing agency nurses in WA hospitals, and whether addressing wage demands could reduce reliance on agency staff. The Minister deflects the final question to the Minister for Industrial Relations.
AnsweredQoN 1429Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the practice of employing short term staff from contract agencies to ensure hospitals are staffed with enough nurses, and I ask: (a) what was the total amount spent by the Department of Health on agency nurses in the 2021-22 financial year; (b) what is the total amount spent by the Department of Health on agency nurses in the current financial year to date; (c) what operational issues are caused by a reliance on agency staff who may not be aware of specific policies and procedures implemented by the hospital they are working at for a short amount of time; and (d) will the Minister agree to wage and condition demands from nurses employed directly by the Department of Health to reduce the reliance on agency staff?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 June 2023
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Health
Response time
9 days
(a) $45,651,301.42 (includes GST).
(b) Costs to 31 March 2023 are $30,230,695.75 (includes GST).
(c) All nurses, including agency, receive an orientation when commencing work in a new area. The orientation includes how to access to local policy and procedures specific to the hospital that are not covered during the orientation process. All new nurses are allocated a preceptor who is available to provide them support and advice. These strategies mitigate the operational risk associated with nurses working in an unfamiliar environment.
(d) This question should be directed to the Minister for Industrial Relations.
(b) Costs to 31 March 2023 are $30,230,695.75 (includes GST).
(c) All nurses, including agency, receive an orientation when commencing work in a new area. The orientation includes how to access to local policy and procedures specific to the hospital that are not covered during the orientation process. All new nurses are allocated a preceptor who is available to provide them support and advice. These strategies mitigate the operational risk associated with nurses working in an unfamiliar environment.
(d) This question should be directed to the Minister for Industrial Relations.
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