Royal Perth Hospital child care centre a family-friendly initiative: Minister

6/1/03
Nurses at Royal Perth Hospital will be offered free child care during school holidays as part of the State Government's commitment to a family friendly public health sector, Health Minister Bob Kucera announced today.
Opening the Jewel House Child Care Centre at RPH today, Mr Kucera said children aged from five to 12 years of age would be eligible for the program, which would operate during all school holidays.
"All permanent registered and enrolled nurses at RPH will be entitled to access this service, knowing their children are safe and well cared for while they are at work," he said.
"Many of our casual nurses are unavailable during school holidays due to their childcare and family responsibilities.
"To keep nurses in the workforce, family commitments have to be recognised and action must be taken to support working parents.
"This new centre will provide a valuable tool in attracting and retaining nursing staff in a family-friendly working environment."
Mr Kucera said the new centre was part of a comprehensive strategy to attract and retain nurses in the public health system.
"The State Labor Government had three priorities when elected - nurses, waiting lists and emergency departments," he said.
"An unprecedented nurse recruitment campaign is now under way and more than 1,200 nurses have expressed an interest in returning to the public health system.
"Waiting lists are at an 11-year low and more than $20million has been allocated to rebuild our metropolitan emergency departments.
"Our next priority is to address ambulance bypass."
Minister's office: 9213 7000