INTRODUCING nurse-patient ratios at NSW hospitals would reduce treatment mistakes, Albury's Labor Party election candidate says.
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Lauriston Muirhead on Wednesday promoted the adoption of ratios, which exist in Victoria and Queensland, saying if his party was elected they would apply and benefit Border patients.
"It's particularly important in a place like Albury, because obviously it will standardise across the border," Mr Muirhead said.
"If Labor is successful on the 23rd of March we will have a completely standardised nurse to patient ratio all down the east coast of mainland Australia."
Mr Muirhead could not say how many of 5500 extra nurses earmarked by Labor to adopt the ratio policy would be in Albury.
However, he expects added numbers will address errors.
"Nurses do a wonderful job but when you're rushed, there's obviously slightly more chance of a mistake and if you or I make a mistake it's not a big deal, but in the medical profession it can be a matter of life or death, whether it's the wrong prescription or muddling up patients and their treatment," Mr Muirhead said.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told parliament last year the Coalition does not support ratios, saying "what is important to us is having the right policy to support our nurses who support our patients".
Last month the Liberal Party leader said that 5000 extra nurses and midwives would be hired across the state if her government was re-elected and 45 per cent would be in regional areas.
Ratios would vary with Mr Muirhead saying they would in broad terms equate to 1:4 in general wards, 1:3 or 1:2 in emergency, paediatrics or maternity and 1:1 in resuscitation care.
He said ratios were more beneficial than the Coalition policy because they "provide a fixed pattern" to cater for population fluctuations over time.