THE state government has offered to trial extra security officers at Wyong and Gosford hospitals as Health Services Union members prepare to strike across NSW tomorrow.
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THE strike, involving more than 22,000 HSU members, will proceed on Thursday after the union and the NSW Ministry of Health failed to reach agreement over the union's concerns about security problems at NSW hospitals.
The HSU said the government's offer to trial extra security officers at Wyong and Gosford hospitals was a welcome first step.
The offer will be communicated to members across the state at hospital rallies tomorrow.
Paramedics will also continue their revenue strike on the state government, declining to collect billing details for patients.
Emergency services will not be affected.
"In the last three years, hospital workers have been stabbed, shot, punched, bitten and abused," the HSU's NSW secretary, Gerard Hayes, said.
"There are now more than 40 assaults in NSW hospitals each month. We are living through a hospital security crisis. Yet the Ministry of Health refuses to take anything more than baby steps.
"Our strike is an unfortunate but necessary last resort.
"We have argued, lobbied and advocated for change for years, but our pleas continue to fall on deaf ears.
"We are taking every precaution possible to prevent any impact on public health.
"Fundamentally, this strike is about improving public safety and restoring confidence in the security of our hospitals."
Locally, rallies will be held at Wyong and Gosford hospitals from noon to 4pm, and at John Hunter Hospital from 10am to 2pm.
