Two additional beds have been closed inside Yass District Hospital due to staffing concerns by NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association (NSWNMA).
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Paul Haines, president of the Yass branch, NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, said that the step was taken in response to the absence of any communication from the LHD.
"We have decided to close a further two beds in addition to the five already closed and have asked the LHD to reply to our updated resolution with 48 hours. If they agree to a meeting, we are prepared to reopen the two beds in good faith," he said.
Meanwhile, five beds inside Yass District Hospital continue to remain closed until further notice. The beds were closed earlier this month after NSWNMA Yass District Hospital Branch expressed their frustration at the NSW government's refusal to improve staffing by introducing shift-by-shift ratios.
While notifying local management of the industrial action, the branch had outlined '...The Yass District Hospital Branch of the NSWNMA express our frustration at the current unresolved issue at our workplace, that puts nurses and our patients, the local community, at risk.
The nursing staff at Yass District Hospital have great concern over the current security coverage. Yass District Hospital currently only has support security staff between the hours of 0800-1800.
Afterhours there is no security-based at the hospital and inadequate external police coverage within the town.
With our current levels of staffing, we are further concerned over our inability to care for patients with acute or chronic behaviour disturbance such as that seen in patients with dementia or an acute psychiatric episode...'
