14 April 2008

Australia nursing shortage causing surgery delays

Babies in Australia are being forced to wait months for crucial surgery because of a shortage of nurses to staff beds, according to doctors. At the Royal Children's Hospital, which is a major paediatric hospital in Victoria, there is an average of 16 cardiac surgery cancellations a week, reports the Age. Nurses are one of the professions which feature most heavily on the Australia Migration Occupation in Demand List (MODL), meaning they can enjoy a streamlined Australian immigration process.

Dr Leo Donnan, the hospital's chief of surgery, said: "We have the equipment, the facilities, the theatre time, and we have fantastic, world-class surgeons. But we can't get staffed beds. We need specialised nurses with intensive-care training." He added that it is a "nightmare" for the surgical and nursing staff who are forced to juggle patients. It was also reported that some babies have had crucial operation postponed seven times. Nurses considering moving down under through Australian immigration can check their suitability by taking an Australia immigration points test.

Australia needs nurses: Anyone applying for an Australian visa should begin by completing the Australian Visa Bureau's online Australian visa application to see if they meet the Australian visa requirements.


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