Member for Ku-ring-gai Alister Henskens SC MP has announced that 30 graduate nurses and midwives will start work at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital this year.

Mr Henskens thanked the graduates, many of whom officially started work this week, having already contributed to the COVID-19 workforce response as students.

“Over the past few months, many of these nurses have been hard at work in our District’s vaccination and testing clinics,” Mr Henskens said.

“They have done an exceptional job and we are so thankful for their ongoing commitment to our community.”

More than 2,800 graduate nurses and midwives will start work across 130 NSW public hospitals and health facilities this year in a major boost for the NSW Health system.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said there are more nurses and midwives in NSW public hospitals than at any other time in history.

“These graduates join us at an incredibly challenging time. We thank them, and all of our nurses, for their contributions to support the health system and the people of NSW,” Mr Hazzard said.

Throughout their first year, graduates are provided with opportunities in a variety of clinical settings to ensure they gain a range of experience and consolidate skills and knowledge developed whilst at university.

Between 2012 and 2021, the nursing workforce and midwifery workforce in NSW increased by 9,599 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff, or 23 per cent, to 51, 794 FTE.

The NSW Government is also investing a further 5000 nurses and midwives from 2019-2022 under a record $2.8 billion boost to frontline staff.