The NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association (NSWNMA) has claimed alleged cuts to the state's Local Health Districts will increase pressure on current staff and directly affect patient care.
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The association claims documents which were leaked to the state opposition reveal NSW Health must achieve savings of $252 million during the 2019-20 financial year, with $150 million in cuts earmarked for the state's Local Health Districts and Specialty Health Networks.
However, NSW Health has denied the claims, stating there have been no cuts made to the Murrumbidgee Local Health District and the budget for MLHD is an increase of $27 million from the previous financial year.
NSWNMA general secretary Brett Holmes said the cuts could increase pressure on already overworked health staff.
"The idea this amount could be saved entirely from procurements is, quite simply, farcical," Mr Holmes said.
"Clearly, it has spilled into current staffing vacancies, as well as cuts to front-line staff, under the guise of staffing profile improvements."
A NSW Health spokesperson said the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) saw an increase in their budget for the 2019-20 financial year.
"All health districts and specialty health networks received budget increases for the 2019-20 financial year," the spokesperson said.
"There were no budget cuts and the health budget was a record $24 billion."
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The leaked documents come as protesters from across the Riverina descended on Wagga Wagga on Thursday to push the cause for more doctors in regional communities, with protesters from Leeton, Tumut, Cootamundra and Junee rallying outside of the MLHD offices.
"There are no reductions in front line staff and as per government commitments NSW Health will recruit an additional 8,300 front line staff over the next 4 years," a NSW Health spokesperson said.
"Wise use of health funding is important and all districts and networks are encouraged to drive efficiencies in back office functions to produce the best use of health funding for where it matters most - our patients."
A spokeswoman from the NSWNMA said they are investigating further across branches in the region as to whether there has been directions to cut costs in the Murrumbidgee.
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