The Australian January 21, 2008
PUBLIC hospitals in the eastern states will secure the lion's share of new $6,000 bonuses to lure former nurses back into the workforce.
Health Minister Nicola Roxon has written to the states confirming how many positions each state will secure under the plan to boost the nursing workforce.
Ms Roxon has confirmed to The Australian Online that private hospitals across Australia will secure 1,550 cash bonuses to attract nurses who have been out of the workforce for more than a year to return to work in hospitals.
However, public hospitals in NSW, Queensland and Victoria will secure the majority of places, reflecting severe shortages.
"This is an important early step in delivering on our health agenda,'' Ms Roxon told The Australian.
"Nurses are the backbone of our hospital system. Every one of us will depend on nurses at some point in our lives - that's why it's crucial that we make sure there are enough nurses to continue the valuable work they do right now.
"Delivering more nurses will have a tangible impact on the quality of health care in our hospitals - and is a recognition of just how important nurses are.''
In her correspondence with the states, Ms Roxon has revealed the allocation will include 2,032 bonuses in New South Wales.
Victoria will secure 1,563 bonuses to attract extra nurses and Queensland will secure 1,234 places.
In Western Australia, the Rudd Government will award 621 bonuses and in South Australia nearly 500 extra nurses will be encouraged to re-enter the system.
Tasmania will secure 146, the ACT 100 and the Northern Territory 63 places.
Under the plan, these nurses will be paid $3,000 after six months back on the hospital ward and a further $3,000 after 18 months; and
Hospitals will also receive a contribution of $1,000 per re-entry nurse to assist with the costs of re-training and re-skilling.
Last week, The Rudd Government announced the first phase of delivering 7,750 extra nurses into Australias hospitals within five years.
This recruitment plan includes a target of bringing 1,000 nurses back into the hospital workforce by the end of this year.
Across Australia, an estimated 30,000 qualified nurses in Australia are currently outside the nursing workforce.
By Samantha Maiden, Online Political Editor
Article from www.theaustralian.news.com.au