State Member for Morayfield, Mark Ryan MP, has welcomed the Queensland Government’s investment of $212.3 million over four years to boost overall nursing numbers in Queensland.

The plan will see 400 experienced nurses employed across the state to help patients to navigate the health system.

Mr Ryan said the Government had yet to decide on the specific allocation of nurses to each area under the plan.

“Nursing staff across Queensland, including at Caboolture Hospital, have been run down under the Liberal National Party, when Lawrence Springborg was Health Minister,” Mr Ryan said.

“This is a start to putting back what Mr Springborg took away.

“Nurses have told me that they are being stretched too thinly as a result of Mr Springborg’s cuts, and ultimately that’s going to put patient safety at risk.

“That’s not a good enough health outcome for the people of our community and it’s not a good outcome for our hard-working nurses.”

Mr Ryan said the Queensland Government’s plan to legislate for nurse to patient ratios meant that future governments could not cut back the nursing workforce without either breaking the law or changing the legislation.

“Queensland will be one of the few places in the world where nurse to patient ratios are guaranteed and that’s something to be proud of,” Mr Ryan said.