When we boost and support our health workforce, we improve patient outcomes, it is as simple as that.

But as we know the previous Liberal Government left our health system in crisis with critical shortages and an unfair wages cap.

That is why over the past year, the Minns Labor Government has been undertaking a range of mammoth reforms to our health workforce.

We are beginning to implement safe staffing levels in our EDs with the recruitment of 1,200 more nurses.

We’ve saved 1,112 temporary nurses by making them permanent.

We’ve abolished the wages cap and delivered record pay increases to our nurses and paramedics.

We’ve started delivering 25 urgent care centres across NSW to relieve pressure on our Emergency Departments.

And next week, the first 2,000 study subsidies will be landing in the mailboxes of healthcare students across the State saving them $8,000 in study costs.

Already, we are seeing some positive results of our hard work.

In just one year of a Minns Labor Government, the NSW Health workforce has grown by 3,000 workers.

On top of this we have reduced the number of overdue surgeries by over 80 per cent from 14,000 to 2,000.

What this means for you and your family is better patient care and importantly that you no longer have to wait in pain for potentially life-saving surgery.

While these are some positive results, let me be clear, this is not mission accomplished.

There’s plenty more to do but I am filled with hope by the journey ahead for our health workers.

As Premier, I want to send a message to the people of NSW that I am committed to doing everything I can to ensure our public hospitals deliver the best possible health care for you and your family.

Yours sincerely,

The Hon. Chris Minns MP
Premier of New South Wales
Member for Kogarah