One of the state’s top nurse’s union officials is flying to Wagga next week for a series of crisis meetings with hospital management over a chronic staff shortage dispute. 

A local nurse, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal, claimed regular 18-hour shifts and “shredded morale” are putting patients’ lives in danger.

“Nurses are afraid; management says come forward if you’re being bullied but if you step out of line they hound you,” she said.

“We are continually doing 16 to 18 hour shifts but if a nurse makes one mistake, they’re immediately put under a performance management plan and they look at taking your registration.”

A former nurse said the behaviour of the executive team and senior management at Wagga hospital is “completely one of intimidation, threats and bullying”.

“I now work with approximately 40 ex-Wagga hospital nurses who have promised themselves never to return to the hospital due to the bullying they experienced,” she said. 

“I personally know several nurses that are experiencing mental health issues due to the treatment they have experienced from working at the Wagga hospital.”

Murrumbidgee Local Health District boss Jill Ludford has refused successive requests for comment, but in a written statement said she would meet with the union. 

Ms Ludford claimed she was committed to stamping out bullying.

“In the past 12 months, the Local Health District has been implementing a staff program, Our People Our Future, to enhance performance and to create and sustain a culture of clinical, service and operational excellence,” she said. 

“Through this program, MLHD staff are being held accountable for their actions, being supported to achieve high performance and to call out below the line behaviour when they see it.”