The Queensland Nurses’ Union has warned massive hospital and health cuts could impact Northside residents living in the Stafford electorate. QNU Secretary Beth Mohle said the State Government had cut more than 700 nursing and midwifery jobs across the Northside including those at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) and The Prince Charles Hospital (TPCH). Ms Mohle said in total more than 1400 health and hospital jobs had been cut on the Northside since 2012. She said the cuts could adversely impact locals including children requiring emergency treatment and Northside residents with cancer. Newman government job cuts impacting those in Stafford include: - Reduced access to Emergency Room (ER) specialists including paediatric - Services for seriously ill newborns - Reduced specialist care for residents with cancer - Less Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses to provide critical support for residents in need - Theatre nurse numbers significantly cut - Reduced support for sufferers of diabetes, asthma, emphysema and kidney-related illnesses - Reduced services for seriously ill or injured locals trying to recover at home. Ms Mohle said in total the state government had cut more than 4000 hospital and health services jobs throughout Queensland including more than 1600 nurse and midwife positions. “Newman government job cuts in the Stafford electorate could impact unwell newborn babies and children, cancer sufferers, those requiring emergency medical treatment and those in Intensive Care Units,’’ Ms Mohle said. “In total the LNP has cut more than 1400 hospital and health jobs on the Northside including more than 700 nursing and midwifery positions. “Our nurses are concerned ill or injured Stafford residents will suffer as a result.’’ She said it was important to note job cut figures included in this release were not handed over voluntarily. The QNU obtained the figures via numerous Right to Information (RTI) requests. The QNU will hold a Stafford Health Forum ahead of the July 19 by-election to discuss job cut impacts and other local health issues. Residents and interested parties are encouraged to attend and have their say at the Stafford Bowls Club between 6pm and 7.30pm on Wednesday July 2. Attendees are asked to please RSVP at [email protected] or 3840 1463. A Nurse Power Fund will begin tomorrow to highlight large and ongoing hospital and health service job cuts and other nursing and midwifery issues. QNU delegates voted to start the fund on August 7 last year. Monies raised will be used to give nurses and midwives concerned about quality of health and aged care a strong voice. From 1 July 2014 all QNU members regardless of designation and employment status (excluding inactive members) will contribute up to $1.00 per week as a flat rate or an amount equivalent to a maximum of 25% of current annual fees whichever is the lesser to the Nurse Power fund in addition to their regular union fees.
Posted on: Mon, 30 Jun 2014 04:29:22 +0000