Nurse-to-patient ratios legislation

On 12 May 2016, the Queensland Government legislated minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in 27 public sector hospitals to ensure minimum nurse staffing requirements are met. Beginning 1 July 2016, adult acute medical and adult acute surgical wards in prescribed facilities, as well as adult acute mental health wards in two prescribed facilities were required to comply with minimum nurse-to-patient ratios. From 15 November 2019, minimum nurse-to-patient ratios were extended to all adult acute mental health wards in prescribed facilities.

A range of documents that further detail the legislation are available for reference on the Office of the Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer website.

Compliance rate

The percentage of total compliant shifts to total shifts across all in scope wards, in the reporting period.

Number of compliant shifts

Compliant Shifts: All morning, afternoon and night shifts for each in scope ward in the reporting period that achieve adherence with the legislation, where,

1. On morning and afternoon shifts there was a minimum of 1 nurse for every 4 patients on the ward; and
2. On night shift there was a minimum of 1 nurse for every 7 patients on the ward

Total number of shifts

All morning, afternoon and night shifts for all in-scope wards in the reporting period.

Statewide compliance rate

The percentage of total compliant shifts to total shifts for all designated in scope wards statewide, in the reporting period.