Action needed to address increased psychosocial risks in Nursing and Midwifery

This International Day of Mourning, the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) remembers those who have lost their life at work and renews calls for more to be done to address mental health workplace risks to prevent further tragic losses. International Day of Mourning (28 April) is a day to remember and honour those who […]

Unsafe ratios force bed closures in Hornsby mental health unit

Consistent understaffing and poor skill mix issues at the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Hospital Mental Health Intensive Care Unit (MHICU) is putting staff and patient safety at risk, leaving nursing staff no option but to start closing three beds from 3pm today. Over the last year, the unit has had significant vacancies combined with a poor skill […]

Lismore mental health nurses take action over staffing cuts

Lismore Mental Health Branch of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) has confirmed it will be forced to close beds from next week, due to major concerns over patient and staff safety following planned cuts to clinical nursing staff levels. During a mid-week meeting, Branch members unanimously passed a resolution to commence the bed […]

Mental health staffing needs attention now

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 […]

Mental health review must address skill mix concerns

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: Mental health, drug and alcohol forum

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 Cultural barriers to accessing mental health and drug and alcohol services Notes Homanta Acharya RN Cultural barriers facing a Bhutanese refugee Dr Roy Laube Mental wellness, mental health and diversity in […]

Unregulated staff proposed for mental health ICU

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 […]

Acute inpatient mental health services neglected in Western Sydney

The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) has spoken out about a growing level of neglect towards the provision of acute inpatient mental health services in Western Sydney. The NSWNMA highlighted its concerns publicly after members described their disbelief at the apparent lack of announcements or future planning specific to acute inpatient mental health care. […]

Nurses ask: Ice, where to from here?

The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) will tomorrow host an education forum for mental health and drug and alcohol nurses to discuss the prevalence of methamphetamine or ‘ice’ in NSW. The ‘Ice – where to from here?’ forum will hear from a range of speakers who will discuss current prevention and rehabilitation programs, impacts […]

More beds close at Goulburn due to staffing concerns

Ongoing nursing staff shortages have prompted the temporary closure of a further two beds inside the sub-acute unit in Chisholm Ross Mental Health Unit at Goulburn. Last Thursday (27 August), Goulburn mental health Branch of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) resolved to temporarily close the additional two beds as they became available, after […]

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