NSW: Nursing changes won't compromise patients - NSW Health
19 Dec 2008 10:48 AM
NSW Health says changes to the ratio of nurses in public hospitals is about efficient use of resources and patient care won't be compromised.
Fairfax papers have reported registered nurses will be replaced by less qualified staff .. as the NSW government orders hospitals to save 32 million dollars in the next four years.
RICHARD MATTHEWS from NSW Health says the department has the responsibility to look at every ward .. but the changes are particularly focused on rural hospitals.
He's told ABC Radio .. some rural hospitals have actually become defacto aged care facilities .. and these patients require different care to those in an acute medical or surgical ward.
Dr MATTHEWS says the mix of nurses has never remained constant in hospitals .. and patient care won't be compromised.
