The walkout was undertaken by on and off duty union members, with a skeleton crew of non-union staff covering the care of patients.

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Megan Chippindale organised the action, following similar events at Maitland and the John Hunter in recent days.

“We’re conducting this action because we care about our community,” Ms Chippindale said.

“The NSW public health system is in a staffing crisis, with experienced senior nurses and midwives leaving due to poor pay and conditions, and the sector is failing to attract the new recruits needed to fill the gaps.”

Registered nurse Tracey Richardson told NOTA nurses and midwives are “burnt out and exhausted”.

“We are asking the NSW Government to fix our pay so we can afford to stay in the profession we love,” she said.

The action being taken by nursing staff is not solely related to pay however, with hospital staff also calling for improved conditions.

Union members indicated future stop work actions could last four or eight hours if staff feel they are not being heard.

Potential ‘Work to Rule’ action was also discussed, when workers take industrial action by only doing what is defined by their role description, policies or procedures.

Under this action health workers would refuse to perform extra duties such as cleaning and administrative tasks.

“We want to be recognised for the profession we have, not the vocation we have,” said Ms Richardson, a 25-year nursing veteran.

“The time and effort it takes to get a nursing degree, many of us have post-grad qualifications and Masters in order to be at the very top of our skill levels.

“However, because of the lack of staff, we are exhausted and recovering by taking sick days will affect our patients.

“We are looking at the longevity of where we are going because nobody wants a family member sitting in a ward of fourteen beds with one tired nurse on night shift handling all of these duties.

“What we want is for our health service to improve for the sake of the entire community.”

By Simon EKINS