NSWNMA: Proposed workers comp changes a "cruel blow"

The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) has called the NSW Government’s proposed changes to the workers compensation scheme a “cruel blow” that will harm nurses and midwives. “This proposal will disproportionately impact the health workforce,” NSWNMA Acting General Secretary Michael Whaites said, “with research showing nurses, midwives and carers make up the largest cohort of workers with psychological injury claims. Over a nine year period there was a staggering 150% increase in the number of psychological injury claims by nurses and midwives.”

Under the proposed changes, NSWNMA said that nurses, midwives and carers would automatically be denied access to workers compensation for psychological injuries arising from excessive workloads. For workers who were bullied or sexually harassed at work, they would have to prove it in court before being eligible for workers compensation, and the injury threshold to continue receiving payments would double to 30%.

“Instead of preventing harm in the first place by ensuring reasonable workloads and putting in place support systems, the government is simply wiping its hands of injured nurses, midwives and carers,” Whaites said. “The government intends to make it harder for nurses and midwives to access support, by excluding work pressure as a cause of psychological trauma. This is extremely alarming as we know excessive workloads and staffing pressures are leading to burnout and poor mental health.”

Despite being exposed to high rates of stress, trauma and unsafe working conditions, NSWNMA said nurses and midwives would be neglected in their time of need and placed at greater risk of harm under the state’s proposed changes to the workers compensation scheme.

“The health workforce is on its knees, overwhelmed by unprecedented demand, chronic understaffing and 12 years of wage suppression, all off the back of a global pandemic. It’s no coincidence these conditions produce a hostile work environment and breed a culture of bullying. Without fair wages and improved conditions, this workforce will continue to suffer and fall through the cracks,” Whaites said.

“Nurses and midwives dedicate their working lives to caring for others; failing to care for them when they are severely impacted at work is not only unjust, but also dangerously negligent,” Whaites added. “We recognise workers compensation needs reform but making it almost impossible for workers to access compensation after sustaining a psychological injury at work is not the way forward.

“It’s clear that this is a government that simply does not care about its largest predominantly female workforce. Labor pledged to stand by injured workers at the state election. It cannot go down the path of inflicting cruelty on its essential workers.”

An inquiry — ‘Proposed changes to liability and entitlements for psychological injury in New South Wales’ — was established on 9 May, to which NSWNMA provided a submission. A public hearing was held 16 May, with the Standing Committee on Law and Justice to report back by 23 May. NSWNMA said workers across the state will take part in a series of own-time rallies, the schedule of which is available here, via the NSWNMA website.

If you are affected by any of the issues discussed in this article, help is available. Lifeline has a 24/7 crisis support service, please call 13 11 14.

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