The new NSW Labor government plans to give the state’s health system a ‘fresh start’, according Member for Wollongong Paul Scully.
Mr Scully says Wollongong, in particular, needs attention.
“We need to work together with the Albanese government, and federally, to make sure primary health, preventative health, hospital care and age care are all working together, to make sure that we’ve got the services that a growing city like ours needs,” Mr Scully said.
He said fostering an effective public service was a priority for the new government.
“We’re doing everything we can to get more health workers in our hospitals, more teachers in front of classrooms, more police on the beat”, Mr Scully said.
Labor’s health commitment was highlighted this morning, with new Premier, Chris Minns visiting Westmead Hospital to speak with staff about conditions and wait times.
The state government’s support comes after Wollongong Day Surgery employees went on strike last week due to conflicts over understaffing and fair pay.
After years of growing stress placed on the health system due to COVID-19, health staff claim they are are closer to breaking point than ever before.
Lucy McMaster is a UOW third-year nursing student, and says the workload is overwhelming and unsafe.
“I’ve had night shifts where I was responsible for 10 plus patients, which is scarily unsafe,” Ms McMaster said.
“Ratios are mandatory in every state in NSW, and it’s clear that many new-graduate and older nurses are leaving this career to work in states such as QLD, as the conditions are far less gruelling”.
Mr Scully said the state election result will see Illawarra get a seat at the “decision-making table”, which has not been the case for the past 12 years.
