In brief:

• Phase Two of nurse and midwife-to-patient ratios has been implemented at Canberra Hospital and North Canberra Hospital.
• These new staffing standards support nurses and midwives to deliver even higher quality care.
• This article overviews where ratios are now in place, including those implemented as part of Phase One.

The second phase of nurse and midwife-to-patient ratios has been implemented at Canberra Hospital and North Canberra Hospital.

New staffing standards under Phase Two of ratios implementation ensure clinical areas have:

• an identified team leader
• a balanced mix of staff
• a minimum ratio of nurses or midwives based on how busy and complex the unit is.

Why are ratios important?

Phase Two supports nurses and midwives to deliver even higher quality care. It also aims to:

• ensure resourcing for nursing and midwifery staff to provide safe care
• improve outcomes for patients
• improve working conditions for nurses and midwives.

Nurses and midwives have told us what they need to provide the best care possible, and we’ve listened.

Where have ratios have been implemented?

From 1 August 2025, ratios are in place at Canberra Hospital in:

• perioperative services
• maternity services
• the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
• the Special Care Nursery at Canberra Hospital.

At North Canberra Hospital, they are now in place in perioperative and endoscopy services.

Where were ratios rolled out previously?

This latest rollout follows successful introduction in other units. These include:

• maternity, the Intensive Care Unit, Coronary Care Unit and Emergency Department at North Canberra Hospital earlier this year
• paediatric, oncology, emergency, intensive care, and coronary care services at Canberra Hospital last year
• general medical, general surgical, acute adult mental health, and aged care inpatient wards across Canberra Health Services in 2022.

Ratios are now in place in all inpatient areas at North Canberra Hospital.

The ACT remains one of the leading jurisdictions in Australia in recognising the importance of maternity ratios, ensuring safer care for both mothers and newborns.

Phase Two is supported by 2024–25 ACT Budget investment over four years. An additional 137.2 full time equivalent nurses and midwives will be recruited across ACT public health services.

This contributes to the ACT Government’s commitment of recruiting 800 extra healthcare workers.

The ACT Government will continue to work closely with the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ACT Branch) and other stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of ratios.

Find out more on the ACT Government website.

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