WA Parliamentary Question regarding nursing staff levels and working conditions in the respiratory ward at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. The response indicates an increase in FTE staff since 2012 and denies claims of excessively long shifts.

AnsweredQoN 840Legislative Council
Asked
20 August 2014
Portfolio
Health

QuestionView source ↗

PRINCESS
MARGARET HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN — RESPIRATORY WARD NURSES
840. Hon ALANNA CLOHESY to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:
I refer to the shortage of nursing staff in
the respiratory ward at Princess Margaret Hospital for Children.
(1) How many full-time equivalent nursing
staff are currently employed in the respiratory ward?
(2) How many FTE nursing staff were employed
in the respiratory ward as at 30 June in 2013 and 2012 respectively?
(3) Is it true that one nurse in the ward
undertook a 52-hour shift?
(4) Is it true that nurses are regularly
asked to do double shifts and occasionally even triple shifts?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some
notice of this question.
(1) It is 48.08.
(2) As at 30 June 2013, it was 38.59, and as
at 30 June 2012, it was 37.85.
(3) No.
(4) Triple shifts do not occur at Princess
Margaret Hospital and would be in breach of the Registered Nurses, Midwives and
Enrolled Mental Health Nurses–Australian Nursing Federation–WA
Health Industrial Agreement 2010. Double shifts occur at Princess Margaret
Hospital but are always within award provisions.

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