Union blasts hospital critics
QUEENSLAND’S peak nursing body slammed comments over limited hospital bed numbers on the Gold Coast as “sensationalist claims”.
The Nurses Professional Association Queensland (NPAQ) called for further beds to be added to the Gold Coast area – but the industry’s peak union group the Queensland Nurses and Midwives Union (QNMU) has hit back. Last week it was revealed the Gold Coast had just 1.69 hospital beds for every 1000 people, an amount well behind the national average of 2.6.
NPAQ executive director Graeme Hayrcroft said he was: “Aghast at the incompetence.”
However, in response the QNMU said they were concerned with “positive change”.
“The QNMU acts in the interest of the state’s patients and those who care for them,” secretary Beth Mohle said.
“We believe in making positive change – not sensationalist claims during times of peak demand in order to boost our profile. Out of respect of Queensland’s hardworking nurses, midwives sand patients, our focus is on listening to members and improving quality of care, workplace practices and patient outcomes.”