NURSE RECRUITMENT
92. Hon JAMES HAYWARD to the Leader of the House
representing Minister for Health:
I refer to the recruitment of
nurses from interstate and overseas.
(1) Following the
announcement that Western Australia will open its borders on 3 March, what
action has the McGowan government taken to ensure nurses are recruited
expediently to reduce the strain on our current workforce?
(2) Has the
McGowan government devised a plan to ensure additional nurses are able to be
deployed to regional areas?
(3) Considering
the severe housing shortages in regional areas, does the McGowan government
have a plan to provide accommodation to nurses who can be recruited to live in
regional areas?
(4) What other actions are being undertaken to relieve the
strain on WA nurses?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
(1)–(4) The
McGowan government has taken action to boost the number of nurses working in
our health system. Actions taken include introducing relocation incentives for
eligible international health professions, adopting
a fast-track initiative allowing newly qualified nurses and midwives to
facilitate early employment and launching the Belong recruitment
campaign. These actions have resulted in an overall increase in the nursing and midwifery workforce. Between January
2021 and January 2022, nursing and midwifery staffing levels have
increased by 1 018 FTE.