Safe Patient Care Act
The data presented shows the varying number of nurses working in a mixed ward, catering to medical, palliative care, rehabilitation, geriatric evaluation, and aged care patients. These different functions require specific nurse-to-patient ratios as mandated by the Safe Patient Care Act to ensure optimal care for patients and support for staff.
Safe Patient Care Act 2015
The Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient Ratios) Act 2015 which came into effect on 23 December 2015, established minimum staffing levels for nurses and midwives to ensure safe and quality care for patients. On 6 March 2019, updates to the Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient Ratios) Regulations 2015 were introduced, which included improved ratios, the establishment of new ratios across a range of clinical settings, and other operational refinements.
For GSHS mixed wards, the new staffing ratios apply to ensure appropriate care across different patient needs. These changes reflect the government's ongoing commitment to maintaining a high standard of patient safety and quality care.
The table below shows the number of nurses that are in a mixed ward. A mixed ward has two or more different nurse to patient ratios. This information will inform our patients how many nurses they can expect to be within either of our mixed ward based on projected occupancy and case mix.
Korumburra Campus - Multifunction Ward
Total Number of Beds Occupied: 26 (3 acute, 1 Transition Care Program, 2 Palliative & 20 RACF)
Leongatha Campus - General Ward
Total Number of beds Occupied: 12 (10 acute medical/surgical & 2 palliative)
Effective as of March 1 2025