Tasmania's Locum Nurse Spending Surges

0:00It's March 1st, here's your Sydney news in two minutes. Tasmanian government spending on locom nurses hit $105 million in the 2024-2025 financial year. That's a huge jump, up 600% from just $14.5 million back in 2020. Locombs are temporary workers hired on short contracts at higher rates than permanent staff, and this now eats up nearly 5% of the total. Health budget. The numbers came out through a right to information request to the opposition labor party. They've called it eye-watering, saying the cash could go toward hiring permanent nurses or boosting services instead of plugging gaps from poor. Planning. Unions like the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation are frustrated too. They point to a big shortage of nurses and midwives, slow hiring processes that lose candidates to other jobs, and extra stress on existing staff from. Constant training and admin for agency workers. They want a stable workforce of locals who stick around.

1:02Health Minister Bridget Archer defends the approach. She says the government has brought in thousands of health professionals over the past 12 years and will keep using locombs where needed to deliver. Essential care, while aiming to grow permanent roles. Meanwhile, a new Treasury report warns Tasmanian finances could worsen fast without big changes, with net debt possibly reaching $100. $46 billion by 2040. On a brighter note, the government is pushing ahead with a $130 million upgrade to the Royal Hobart Hospital's emergency. Departments of double capacity in key areas. D&N is sponsored by our partner. Check out the episode description. If sleep podcasts are your thing, this is your pillow, built for comfort and calm. S-O-L-L-I, solely pillow.com.