Australian gov’t amends nurse and midwife ratios in Victoria

The new ratios will apply to metropolitan and regional facilities.

The Australian government is introducing legislative amendments to strengthen nurse and midwife-to-patient ratios across Victoria.

The new ratios will apply to metropolitan and regional intensive care units (ICUs), emergency departments (EDs), high-dependency units, coronary care units, and maternity wards.

Key changes include a one-to-one nurse-to-occupied-bed ratio in ICUs at all Level 1 and 2 hospitals on all shifts, with the addition of a team leader and liaison nurse.

The amendments also include improved staffing in ED resuscitation cubicles during morning shifts, aligning with afternoon and night shifts, and a reduction in midwife-to-patient ratios in postnatal and antenatal wards on night shifts.

Moreover, it will also introduce an in-charge nurse on night shifts in standalone high-dependency units and coronary care units.

The amendments follow consultations with nurses, midwives, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, and health services.