THE Dargo Bush Nursing Centre says it is still having ongoing discussions with the state government regarding increased funding, with the centre hoping for wage parity to match the public sector’s enterprise bargaining agreement.
In late June, Victorian public sector nurses and midwives endorsed a government offer for a 28.4 per cent wage increase by November 2027, plus improvements to allowances, penalties and terms and conditions.
BNCs are small-scale centres that provide healthcare for those in regional and remote communities with low populations. They are independently operated and money to fund their operations can come from multiple sources, but primarily the Department of Health.
Dargo Bush Nursing Centre nurse manager Sarah Carr said she managed a private centre that received public funding, and was currently in the middle of negotiating their EBA with the government.
“But we haven’t had any clear direction from the parties involved, including the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (union). Discussions are ongoing,” Ms Carr said.
“We’re really hopeful that the state government will commit to providing funding (for wage parity) with the public sector for recruitment of nurses. We need that guarantee from the government, so we’re just waiting at the moment.”
Ms Carr clarified the funding they were talking about was not just for nurse staff, but money towards all of Dargo BNC’s operations.
She said patient demand had increased dramatically since Covid, with an additional nurse required for service delivery, but they were only funded for one nurse to work per shift in Dargo.
“We need two nurses, so we have to self-source income to pay for that second nurse as well,” Ms Carr said.
“What we can provide for the people in Dargo is mind blowing in the current climate, it’s just absolutely incredible.
“If every little small town had a bush nursing centre, then you would see hospital reductions. You’d see so many (residential aged care) reductions.”
In a media release last month, Member for Gippsland East Tim Bull said BNCs in his area were facing funding uncertainty. He said in state parliament that BNCs budgets have been reduced by 10 per cent and are also expected to fund the 28.4 per cent wage increase.
“There is no question the nurses deserve a pay rise, but it cannot be implemented without financial support provided to the BNCs to meet these increased costs,” Mr Bull said.
“Nurses do an amazing job, and our bush nurses have an extensively dynamic skill set to adapt to the range of care needed in rural settings.”
The state government in July had denied they made cuts to BNCs. Ms Carr also said the 10 per cent cut was not correct and that it was too early in discussions to determine the government’s intended funding arrangements.
Ms Carr said all the nursing centres are not-for-profit organisations that govern themselves and don’t have “an overarching association or someone that can oversee all of us”.
