The Rann Labor Government is set for an ugly and protracted confrontation with South Australia’s overworked and under resourced nurses.

Today marks the deadline set by SA nurses for a response from the Rann Government to  calls for a nine per cent pay rise over three years but, to date there has been no response from the government.

Duncan McFetridge, Shadow Health Minister has called on Minister for Health John Hill to as a matter of urgency enter into immediate productive negotiations with SA nurses.

“Nurses as a professional are critical to the effective functioning of the SA health system; they are the frontline health professionals for hospitalised and home based patients.

“Yet, the Rann Government seems determined to enter into a combative and disruptive relationship with them as they did with SA teachers “Dr McFetridge said.

“As the SA public health system falls into crisis and as ‘South Australians are forced to wait longer for elective surgery today than they did 10 years’ go many nurses are set to walk away from nursing. (State of Our Public Hospitals June 2010)

“In light of work pressures and the under resourcing of SA nurses in the public hospital system it’s no wonder that independent research conducted by the University of Adelaide has found that one in four nurses wants to leave the profession.

“Health Minister John Hill must ensure the health of South Australians is not compromised because of his lack of support for SA nurses.”

Comments (1)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Write comment

Email Name		Comment smaller | bigger
		I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage. Write the displayed characters Add Comment