Major reforms easing pressure on Nepean Hospital’s busy ED

Nepean Hospital recently completed a successful recruitment campaign of more than 13 FTE nurses in the Emergency Department, to facilitate the Safe Staffing Level initiative.

The staffing boost will enable a one-to-one nursing care ratio for generally occupied Emergency Department (ED) resuscitation beds on all shifts, and one nurse to three generally occupied ED treatment spaces and ED short-stay unit beds on all shifts.

The Safe Staffing Levels Taskforce has been established to oversee the rollout of the Government’s commitment of 2,480 FTE over four years. It includes key leaders from the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA), NSW Health, and local health districts.

Nepean Hospital’s emergency department has also recently added a new Safe Assessment Unit. Safe Assessment Units are designed to better support people presenting to EDs with behavioural disturbances associated with alcohol and drugs, often co-occurring with mental health conditions or social crisis, who are often vulnerable and become overwhelmed by the environment in the ED.

The Unit provides a safe, low stimulus environment in which patients can be admitted, assessed, and treated by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians working across mental health, clinical pharmacology and alcohol and drug teams. The Units also act to take pressure off the ED by providing a more suitable space for dealing with these concerns.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“The Minns Labor Government is continuing to deliver on its commitment to roll out major staffing reform.

“Safe staffing is the most significant reform in the way our hospitals have been staffed in the state’s history.

“It’s also great to see the new Safe Assessment Unit up and running within Nepean’s ED – we know similar models of care have resulted in improved patient outcomes, reduced need for sedation and restraint, as well as a reduction in the length of stay and time to be seen in EDs.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown: 

“The new Safe Assessment Unit and implementation of Safe Staffing Levels within Nepean’s ED will be a major benefit for everyone who requires emergency care at the hospital.

“These important reforms are working to provide better support to our hardworking frontline health staff, and more timely, personalised care to the community here in Nepean.”