Nurses at Dubbo Hospital are being placed under unnecessary pressure because the state government is not giving them the resources necessary to treat patients with mental health problems, according to unions.
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Both the Health Services Union and NSW Nurses and Midwives Union have expressed their concern at understaffing in the mental health unit, which they argue could put nurses and patients at risk.
"The Local Health District want staffing levels for a general mental health unit but they are running as a high dependency unit," NSW Nurses and Midwives Union co-ordinator Darius Altman said.
"Our members are deeply concerned they aren't equipped for the type of patients that are coming in.
"When you have patients that are acutely unwell, they require a much greater level of health care and the current staffing levels just can't handle that.
"Staffing levels for general mental health would be about six nursing hours per patient per day.
"Some high dependency patients might require the care of one nurse for every two patients or even one to one in some cases.
A statement by Western NSW Local Health District director of operations Lindsey Gough denied any changes and said significant investment in upgrades to Dubbo Hospital proved they were committed to health care in the region.
"There are absolutely no cuts, downgrades or reductions occurring or planned for Dubbo Health Service.
"The suggestion of otherwise is incorrect and misleading," Ms Gough said.
"In fact, the $91 million investment into the redevelopment of Dubbo Health Service will result in more and improved health services to meet the changing health demands for the Dubbo region's growing population.
However HSU secretary Gerard Hayes said his organisation had also been made aware of the situation through their members.
"The Health Services Union is deeply concerned about the impact proposed changes will have and the effect it will have on patients and the staff," he said.
"You can't cut one part of mental health in hospitals without having a knock-on effect.
"Our members would be exposed to a highly volatile situation with high risk patients as a result of the cuts NSW Health is making across Western NSW."
Mr Altman said the NSW Nurses and Midwives Union would be consulting with their members about what action to take.
