According to figures released by the NSW Nurses Association (NSWNA), Junee could lose six positions, which would be filled by three unlicensed assistants in nursing (AiN).

NSWNA general secretary Brett Holmes said the figures showed the mix of nursing staff was being altered significantly by registered and enrolled nurses being replaced with less skilled nurses, but the total number of staff was being reduced.

“The reduced skill base is being compounded by a reduction in total nursing numbers as well,” he said. “Greater Southern nurses are extremely alarmed by this proposal and so should local communities.

“There is a real and legitimate concern in the smaller facilities about proposals to leave only one RN and one AiN on duty overnight, when many emergency cases present themselves in these communities.”

While Junee may lose six positions, the proposal would see more than 100 licensed nursing positions cut across GSAHS facilities.

NSW Opposition health spokesperson Jillian Skinner has slammed the decision, stating the cutting of frontline nursing positions is unacceptable.

However, GSAHS said it was

striving to ensure patient care

quality remained at the highest of