The NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) held the protest after rejecting an offer of a three percent pay rise.

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Buses from across the Hunter region ferried members to join over 10,000 striking nurses and midwives who marched through Sydney to Parliament House on Tuesday, 24 September.

“Our members do not take industrial action lightly, in fact it’s a really difficult decision for them to make,” Shaye Candish from NSWNMA said at a press conference.

“However there is increasing frustration across the workforce that this Government has not meaningfully engaged with us.”

Tomaree Hospital NSWNMA representative Megan Chippindale described the event as “an incredible day”.

She was joined by fellow Tomaree colleagues Paulina Lewis, Tracey Richardson, Meg Myers and Narelle Gilroy.

“This strike isn’t just about pay, it’s about ensuring adequate working conditions for quality patient care and to retain nurses and midwives in NSW,” Ms Chippindale said.

“Talking to so many nurses and midwives at the rally from different sized hospitals around the districts, it was clear to see we are all struggling with the same work issues that are impacting patient care.

“The NSW Government’s narrative is that nurses and midwives are putting patients’ safety at risk by taking strike action but our concerns over patient safety have fallen on their deaf ears for too long.”

Other similar events were held at Tweed Heads and Albury but this was the third industrial action local nurses have staged in recent weeks.

Further action is planned unless NSWNMA and NSW Government agree to new terms of service.

By Simon EKINS