6 handtekeningen
500 voor collectiedoel
Verzoekschrift gericht aan: Hunter New England Local Health District
We, the undersigned, call on Hunter New England Local Health District and Narrabri District Health Service to urgently address the ongoing treatment of a local Registered Nurse and Midwife who has been unable to return to work following a physical injury, subsequent psychological injury, and prolonged workplace bullying. This midwife is well known and highly regarded by local families, and has been caring for our community since 2011.
After her workers compensation claim was denied, she was forced onto leave without pay, placing enormous financial strain on her and her family during an already difficult economic period. Despite providing four weeks’ notice of her intention to return to work at the end of February (as required by NSW Health policy), repeated efforts to facilitate her return have been ignored.
At a time when regional healthcare services are facing critical staffing shortages, it is deeply concerning that a highly qualified nurse and midwife of 15 years experience, willing to return to care for local families, continues to be excluded from the workplace. No healthcare worker should be forced into financial hardship simply for asking for workplace bullying to stop.
We call on Hunter New England Local Health District to act with fairness, transparency, and compassion by engaging meaningfully to support a safe and timely return to work.
While acknowledging there may be matters not publicly known, the community is seeking transparency, fairness, and compassionate engagement to resolve this situation safely and respectfully for all involved in a timely manner.
We ask that:
- That Hunter New England Local Health District engage immediately in a genuine return-to-work process with the affected midwife.
- That Narrabri District Health Service ensure a workplace culture free from bullying, intimidation, discrimination and retaliation.
- That regional maternity services prioritise retaining experienced healthcare staff to support safe care for local women and families
Reden
Rural and regional healthcare services are in crisis. They are experiencing significant workforce shortages, particularly in maternity and midwifery care. Experienced midwives are essential to ensuring safe care for women, babies, and families in rural communities. We cannot afford to lose experienced midwives from the system.
When healthcare workers experience workplace bullying, psychological injury, or barriers to returning to work, the effects extend beyond the individual. These situations contribute to staff burnout, workforce loss, reduced morale, and increased pressure on already stretched regional health services.
Community members are concerned not only for the wellbeing of this midwife and her family, but also for the broader message being sent to healthcare workers who speak up about workplace safety and bullying. Retaining skilled and compassionate clinicians should be a priority for regional healthcare services, particularly during ongoing staffing shortages and cost-of-living pressures affecting rural families and workers alike.
Research consistently shows workplace bullying contributes to psychological injury, workforce attrition, burnout, and reduced staff retention across healthcare settings. The concerns raised in this petition reflect broader evidence regarding the impacts of workplace bullying, psychological injury, and healthcare workforce retention in Australia.
Community members are concerned that current processes do not appear consistent with NSW Health’s stated commitments to staff wellbeing, psychological safety, and zero tolerance for workplace bullying.
Sources:
Safe Work Australia – Workplace Bullying
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/safety-topic/hazards/bullying
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF)
NSW Health – Workplace Culture and Staff Wellbeing
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/workforce/workplace/Pages/default.aspx
Australian College of Midwives
Beyond Blue – Workplace Mental Health
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/workplace-mental-health
Hartelijk dank voor jullie steun, Michaela Carlson, Narrabri
Vraag voor de initiatiefnemer
Gegevens met betrekking tot de petitie
Petitie gestart:
10-05-2026
Collectie eindigt:
10-11-2026
Regio:
Narrabri Shire Council
Categorie:
Gezondheid
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Local women deserve the expertise of an experienced midwife & RN. Financial hardship should not occur to a midwife who is wanting to return to the workplace. Bullplying, exclusion & harassment are against NSW health policy & should be immediately addressed at Narrabri health service. Management should put in place systems where staff feel safe to return to work.