This year, the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) is set to receive a substantial influx of healthcare professionals as 173 graduate nurses and midwives prepare to embark on their careers within the district. This surge in new talent marks a significant enhancement to local health services, strengthening the provision of care within the region.

The broader impact extends across the state, with over 3,400 graduate nurses and midwives commencing work within the NSW public health system, contributing to the state's overarching healthcare objectives.

These newly appointed professionals will embark on a journey, spanning various clinical settings and community healthcare environments. Their presence will bolster the workforce, addressing crucial needs within the healthcare landscape.

Under the guidance of the NSW Government's proactive initiatives, measures are being implemented to fortify the health workforce. This comprehensive approach includes setting safe staffing levels for nurses and midwives, particularly within emergency departments, converting 1,112 temporary nursing roles into permanent positions, eliminating the wages cap, facilitating record pay increases for healthcare professionals, initiating the deployment of 500 additional paramedics in regional, rural, and remote communities, enhancing the rural health workforce incentive scheme package, and introducing 12,000 tertiary health study subsidies.

Sarah Kaine MLC, representing the Kiama electorate, underscores the dedication of healthcare workers and acknowledges the challenges they face. She emphasises the adverse effects of previous neglect on the healthcare system, highlighting the urgent need for reforms to address issues of recruitment and retention.

"Our healthcare professionals in the Kiama electorate and the broader Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD exhibit exceptional dedication in providing quality care to patients. However, systemic challenges, such as the unjust wages cap and neglect of our healthcare system, have hindered their efforts. It's imperative that we address these issues to ensure a resilient and sustainable healthcare workforce for the future," remarked Sarah Kaine MLC.

This influx of graduate nurses and midwives signifies a step towards fortifying healthcare provisions, embodying the collective commitment to enhancing the wellbeing of communities across NSW.