Palaszczuk Govt to bolster frontline health

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has reiterated her commitment to restoring frontline health services without the need for the LNP’s asset sales.

Visiting the PA Hospital today with Health Minister Cameron Dick, the Premier said her government would immediately move to deliver on its health election commitments.

“Labor promised 4,400 new nursing positions during the election campaign and I am 100% committed to delivering them,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“I have great respect for the role nurses play in our hospitals, which is why the Labor Government is moving to restore the frontline positions taken away by the LNP.

“And by giving a start to so many nursing graduates means we can train the next generation of nurses and give them the experience they need to contribute to our health system into the future.”

Health Minister Cameron Dick said one of his top priorities was to discuss the implementation of Labor’s nursing election commitments with Queensland Health executives.

“Over the last three years, the LNP sacked 1,800 nurses and midwives under the stewardship of Lawrence Springborg,” Mr Dick said.

“Nurses are stretched and over-worked, and despite doing their best every single day, they aren’t getting the support they need.

“For the first time ever, Labor will legislate to ensure nurse-to-patient ratios meet the levels recommended by the experts.

“That means an extra 400 nurses over the next three years, so that our nurses aren’t overworked and can provide the best level of care to patients.

“We will also begin the process of employing 1,000 nursing graduates each year for four years.

“Instead of sacking nurses and removing the career path for so many young graduates, the Palaszczuk Government is committed to restoring those frontline services taken away by the LNP.

“And we can make this happen without the need to sell off the state’s profitable businesses, which remains the LNP’s only policy.”

Mr Dick said the Government’s policy to restore frontline nursing positions would cost $220 million over four years.

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