WA’s top nursing group says hordes of nurses are leaving their jobs due to low wages and poor working conditions affecting the state’s health care system.
In a scathing diatribe on Sunday, the Deputy Secretary of the Nursing Federation of Australia, Janet Reah, shattered the nurses’ expectations and said they were leaving WA because the salary was better elsewhere.
“They’re overworked, they don’t get breaks, they’re repeatedly asked to come in early, they’re late, they’re not paid overtime (and) when they ask, they’re denied this, so that’s why they’re leaving, “Ms Reah said.
When asked how many nurses left the staff, Ms. Reah replied, “Probably close to 50 percent,” but the ANF later backed down on the figure after a rejection by WA Health, claiming to have heard the question incorrectly.
However, Ms Reah said “many nurses are reducing hours or leaving the industry”.
A WA Health spokesman said there had been an 11.8% increase in workers between June last year and March this year.
They also answered the claims of not paying overtime.
“All health care workers receive the overtime they do, and we thank our staff, especially those who work on the front lines, for their constant commitment to patient care and their incredible hard work as the state responds to this pandemic, “the spokesman said.
Camera icon Wage demand is in the midst of an ambulance crisis. Credit: Jackson Flindell / The West Australian
Ms Reah, who ran the media following Mark Olson’s resignation, also said nurses were working up to “16 hours straight”.
“I was told last week, ‘I don’t mind bringing food to work anymore because I don’t eat it,'” he said.
He also beat the agency nurses who, he said, were “charging twice as much” as the hospital nurses earned.
“These agencies are collapsing, possibly doing more work because they don’t know the room.”
Camera IconWA’s top nursing group says hordes of nurses are leaving their jobs due to low wages and poor working conditions affecting the state’s healthcare system. Credit: AAP
But a WA Health spokesman said the agency’s staff played an “important role” in healthcare, especially in remote areas where it is “difficult” to attract and retain staff.
“WA health workers are being supported to take leave whenever possible, giving them a well-deserved break and allowing them to visit friends and family,” they added.
“Each health care provider manages its own staff wellness programs, to create work environments where staff feel safe, valued and supported.”
The heated debate comes amid a wage war between nurses and the state government.
WA nurses feel well done and want salary increases in line with East Coast workers.
This includes a $ 3,000 COVID “thank you” bonus and a similar agreement to the 3.5 per cent salary increase promised to nurses in New South Wales.
The McGowan government has not yet announced any plans to comply with the lawsuit, despite the ANF’s threatening action.
Camera icon The McGowan government has not yet announced any plans to comply with the lawsuit, despite the ANF’s threatening action. Credit: Daniel Wilkins / The West Australian
Shadow health minister Libby Mettam on Sunday called the McGowan government “petty” for not using the state’s $ 5.7 billion surplus to raise the salaries of health workers.
“We don’t really thank the McGowan government for the WA Health workers who have been doing the hard work for the last two years during the pandemic,” Ms. Mettam said.
He said health workers had helped the McGowan government become popular and had not received any pay.
Ms. Mettam believed that Prime Minister Mark McGowan was expecting to spend his large surplus during an election year.