Vic: Talks to end nurses' dispute continue, as 988 beds closed

AAP General News (Australia)
04-24-2004
Vic: Talks to end nurses' dispute continue, as 988 beds closed

Talks will continue this afternoon to resolve Victoria's nurses' dispute, which has
resulted in hospital bed closures and the cancellation of some elective surgery.

Australian Nursing Federation state secretary LISA FITZPATRICK says talks between the
union and the government will take place from 1pm (AEST) today.

But she says it's too early to say whether an end to the dispute is in sight.

Nurses vowed on Wednesday to close a quarter of the state's hospital beds and cancel
one in four elective surgery sessions.

The Department of Human Services says 988 beds have been closed and 226 elective surgery
sessions cancelled after three days of work bans.

The main issue in the dispute is the government's push to abolish the current ratio
of five nurses for every 20 patients in the state's hospitals.

Nurses are also seeking an eight per cent annual pay rise.

AAP RTV kw/wjf

KEYWORD: NURSES VIC (MELBOURNE)

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