Yorke Peninsula hospitals are on the brink of a collapse of services, according to the nurses and midwives’ union, which is calling on residents to support its statewide campaign to counteract staff shortages in regional hospitals.
These claims have been disputed by Yorke and Northern Local Health Network chief executive Roger Kirchner, who said there was a vacancy rate of only three per cent across Yorke Peninsula hospitals and residential aged care centres.
The union campaign, launched earlier this month by the South Australian branch of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, urges the state government to improve incentives to attract and retain nurses and midwives in regional areas.
ANMF SA chief executive Elizabeth Dabars said a recent SA Health Workforce report found a vacancy rate of about nine per cent in hospitals and services under the YNLHN.
These include Melaleuca Court Nursing Home at Minlaton; Minlaton Health Care Service; Maitland Hospital and Health Service; Northern and Central YP Community Health Service (including Wallaroo Hospital); Northern YP Domiciliary Care Service; Port Broughton District Hospital and Health Services; Southern Yorke Peninsula Domiciliary Care Service; and YP Health Service (including Yorketown).
Professor Dabars said services in regional hospitals are being reduced or threatened with closure amid alarming workforce shortages.
“We desperately need to attract nurses and midwives to regional areas and keep them there,” she said.
“YP is integral to the SA economy via the fundamental produce and tourism industries.
“Yet, the reality is that there are many hospitals, particularly on YP, that are on the brink of service collapse as a result of hospitals being understaffed, with a recent SA Health Workforce report approximating a nine per cent vacancy rate in hospitals under the YNLHN.
“Understaffing is already showing devastating consequences – not only for the YP community in being able receive immediate care locally, but statewide, we are already seeing the flow-on effect of hospitals struggling to cope under the pressure of regional health being underresourced, and the matter is only getting worse.
“This is why for the past two years, ANMF SA has also been advocating for the full employment of all graduating nurses and midwives into a graduate program by the state government, as well as the continuing employment of those who are completing that program this year to help relieve the crisis we are seeing statewide.”
ANMF is calling on the state government to: improve relocation allowances to attract nurses and midwives to regional areas; improve assistance with costs of relocation, such as removalist fees; and improving support with repayment options for HECS and HELP student loans.
NYLHN chief executive Mr Kirchner said YNLHN had recruited more staff than ever before across the past year.
“Not only are our services operating well, but we’ve opened new services including the rehabilitation centre at Wallaroo Hospital where we offer outstanding care,” he said.
“There is only one registered nurse vacancy at Maitland Hospital, and none at Yorketown or Port Broughton.
“We have 11 new Transition to Professional Practice nurses working across our hospitals on YP and seven new registered nurses are set to arrive from May thanks to our international recruitment efforts.
“Work is continuing to attract health professionals to our area, which boasts a great work/life balance, fantastic communities and stunning natural surrounds, on top of up to $15,000 to aid relocation costs.”
Mr Kirchner said relocation reimbursements were in addition to existing rural and remote incentives and staff were also eligible for ongoing locality allowances.
As of 10am today (Tuesday, April 16), the ANMF campaign petition had 1064 signatures, towards its target of 1200.
For more information and to sign the petition, go to www.regionalincentives.com.au
This article appeared in the Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 16 April 2024.
