Sonia Hornery MP, Member for Wallsend, will proudly join the nurses who will rally outside Wallsend hospital on Wednesday as part of their union’s statewide push to improve nurse-to-patient ratios in NSW public hospitals.
The nurses, from Child & Family Health Services, will assemble outside the Wallsend Aged Care Facility in support of their colleagues, particularly those in paediatrics and all the nurses attending the main rally in Sydney.
The demonstration is part of action by more than 160 public hospitals and community health services state wide including 17 Hunter hospitals.
The NSW Nurses and Midwives Association are calling on the government to guarantee nursing ratios in country hospitals and in emergency departments, paediatric wards, critical care areas and community health services.
The Member for Wallsend used the rally as an opportunity to call on the NSW Minister for Health, Jillian Skinner, to better fund public hospitals.
“I urge the Minister for Health to listen to the message that is being sent, from nurses all around NSW today, to support this important campaign and to make the positive changes that our healthcare system so desperately needs” said Ms Hornery.
Ms Hornery also said the location of the rally held a special significance for her and others in the Wallsend community.
“This protest is being held outside a place that is very important and close to my heart; a place which the community and I fought so hard to keep open. Its nurses are the reason why it is held in such high regard”, said Ms Hornery
