Safe Patient Care Act
The data presented shows the varying number of nurses working in a mixed ward, catering to medical, palliative care, rehabilitation, geriatric evaluation, and aged care patients. These different functions require specific nurse-to-patient ratios as mandated by the Safe Patient Care Act to ensure optimal care for patients and support for staff.
Safe Patient Care Act 2015
The Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient Ratios) Act 2015 which came into effect on 23 December 2015, established minimum staffing levels for nurses and midwives to ensure safe and quality care for patients. On 6 March 2019, updates to the Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient Ratios) Regulations 2015 were introduced, which included improved ratios, the establishment of new ratios across a range of clinical settings, and other operational refinements.
For GSHS mixed wards, the new staffing ratios apply to ensure appropriate care across different patient needs. These changes reflect the government's ongoing commitment to maintaining a high standard of patient safety and quality care.
The table below shows the number of nurses that are in a mixed ward. A mixed ward has two or more different nurse to patient ratios. This information will inform our patients how many nurses they can expect to be within either of our mixed ward based on projected occupancy and case mix.
Korumburra Campus - Multifunction Ward
Declared Beds: 7: average occupancy over preceding 12 months 6.33 Acute + 0.67 Palliative & 20 Aged Care beds.
Ratios Applied— Acute: AM 1:6, PM 1:7, ND 1:10; Palliative: AM 1:4 PM 1:4, ND 1:6; Aged Care: AM 1:7, PM 1:8, ND 1:15. In‑charge on AM & PM only.
Leongatha Campus - Medical-Surgical, Palliative & Urgent Care Ward
Declared Beds 13: 12.67 average occupied beds over the preceding 12 months Mixed ward calculations with an average of 0.45 palliative beds (→ Acute 12.55 + Palliative 0.45).
Ratios applied — Acute: AM 1:6, PM 1:7, ND 1:10; Palliative: AM 1:4, PM 1:4, ND 1:6.
Leongatha Campus - Urgent Care Centre (UCC)
UCC staffing aligned to presentations between 5,000–7,000 p.a.
Leongatha Campus - Maternity Services
Births in last 12 months: 139 — Active Birth Suites: 1
Legislative Reference: Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient Ratios) Act 2015 (Vic), section (20) subsection (6) two registered nurses on all shifts for ED/UCCs with 5,000–7,000 presentations; one may be assigned from another ward if immediately available to return.
Effective as of September 1 2025.