Victoria’s landmark nurse and midwife-to-patient ratios are set to be expanded.

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas introduced amendments to the Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient Ratios) Act into parliament earlier this week, paving the way for the improvements.

If passed, the new ratios will deliver:

• 1:1 nurse to occupied bed ratio in ICUs on all shifts for all Level 1 and 2 hospitals – meaning every occupied ICU bed will have a dedicated nurse assigned to it.
• 1:4 midwife to patient ratios in postnatal and antenatal wards on night shifts – down from 1:6.
• Level 1 hospital emergency department resuscitation bays will be 1:1 on morning shifts – bringing them into line with afternoon and evening shifts.
• ICU’s will require a team leader and liaison nurse for the first time.
• An in-charge nurse on night shifts in standalone High Dependency Units and Coronary Care Units.
  
  

Nurse to patient and midwife to patient ratios were first introduced in 2000, with Victoria in 2015 becoming the first state to enshrine them in law.

The latest amendments, set to be implemented throughout 2025/26, deliver on a state government 2022 election commitment and have been achieved through extensive consultation with the ANMF (Victorian Branch).

The state government says the improvements ensure Victorian patients and families continue to receive quality care.

“We’re strengthening ratios because it means better care for Victorians and more support for our hard-working nurses and midwives,” Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said.

“Anyone who’s experienced the incredible care of our nurses and midwives knows just how special their work really is,” added Premier Jacinta Allan.

“These reforms will mean an extra pair of hands, and an extra set of eyes, for some of our most precious patients.”