NURSES at the Gawler hospital could take industrial action if pay and working condition negotiations between the State Government and the nurses’ union continue to stall.

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) South Australian branch voted unanimously at a meeting last week to “take action” if an agreement could not be reached between the two parties in the coming weeks.

Any industrial action taken by nurses would affect Gawler Hospital and the under-pressure Lyell McEwin Hospital, where a nurse was stabbed in the neck while leaving work in June.

ANMF chief executive officer Elizabeth Dabars said any action taken by nurses would need to be voted on by ANMF members, but didn’t rule out strike action.

“Taking action is entirely up to South Australia’s nurses and midwives; action taken will not compromise patient care,” she said.

“Ensuring the community can continue to have access to safe, quality care is the primary reason our members are ready and willing to stand up and take action.

“Hundreds of members have attended meetings with the ANMF this week and voted unanimously to take action if an agreement with the State Government cannot be reached on these issues in the coming weeks.

“As the voice of nurses and midwives standing up for the community in their care, the ANMF is concerned by several key issues that remain unresolved as part of negotiations for a new SA Health nursing and midwifery enterprise agreement.

“We need to ensure our public health services are safely staffed, adequately resourced and offer working conditions that attract and retain people in nursing and midwifery professions, yet these are the critical areas that remain unresolved and are of significant concern to our members.”

South Australian nurses last threatened to strike in October last year over hospital overcrowding, but relented when health minister Stephen Wade opened 30 new hospital beds and 11 mental health beds across the state.

The Bunyip contacted Mr Wade’s office for comment, but did not receive a response.