The NSW mental health system can reduce the use of seclusion and restraint only if it gets adequate support and resources. Underfunding of mental health services over many years has hindered the adoption of measures to ensure optimum safety of patients and staff, says the NSWNMA. A “tight fiscal strategy is now having an impact […]
Nurses and midwives have pleaded with NSW Minister for Mental Health, Tanya Davies, to urgently address systemic staffing and skill mix issues within the state’s mental health system and called for new safety and monitoring technology to be implemented. Addressing the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association’s (NSWNMA) 72nd Annual Conference at Rosehill Gardens Grand Pavilion […]
Nurses must drive changes to reduce seclusion while ensuring safety. The NSWNMA wants nurses to contribute to a state government review of the use of seclusion, restraint and observations in mental health facilities. The review is being carried out by a six-person panel including the NSW Chief Psychiatrist Dr Murray Wright. Health Minister Brad Hazzard […]
Download the NSWNMA May 2017 submission: Feedback to Mental Health Commission NSW Consultation Living Well in Later Life _ Case for Change and Consensus Statements.
The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) has welcomed reports the NSW Government has commissioned an independent review into seclusion, restraint and observations in the state’s mental health system. General Secretary of the NSWNMA, Brett Holmes, said it was vital the review panel took a close look at staffing skill mixes and overall staffing levels […]
Podcasts from the mental health, drug and alcohol forum held at NSWNMA on 9 September 2016. – Kurt Andersson-Noorgard, CNC (Sydney District Nursing – HIV Mental Health) on cultural barriers to accessing mental health and drug and alcohol services – with notes – Homanta Acharya RN on the cultural barriers facing a Bhutanese refugee – Dr Roy Laube on […]
A Local Health District has proposed the introduction of Assistants in Nursing in one of the most dangerous workplaces in the state. An industrial battle has erupted over a proposal by the Northern Sydney Local Health District for the possible introduction of Assistants in Nursing (AiNs) in the Mental Health Intensive Care Unit (MHICU) of […]
Unsafe staffing conditions at Coffs Harbour Mental Health Inpatient Unit have driven NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) members to hold a lunchtime rally TODAY and close three low dependency beds until staffing shortages are rectified. Private security officers and Assistants in Nursing (AiNs) are being used to replace qualified nursing staff at the facility […]
The Australian College of Mental Health Nurses (ACMHN) launched its election campaign today calling on all parties and candidates to commit to five key issues and to listen to, support and fund the nursing workforce. Kim Ryan, CEO, ACMHN said all parties and candidates could not afford to ignore the mental health needs of the […]
UPDATE: This morning, the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) made a recommendation for the NSWNMA to cease the stop work action planned for 11am and for the Northern Sydney LHD to cease any form of implementation of the introduction of AiNs into the Mental Health Intensive Care Unit of the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital until further proceedings […]