The Association relaxed its position on bed closures after management agreed to take staff numbers and the available skill mix on any given day into consideration when scheduling surgeries, Association general secretary Brett Holmes said.

As a result, the nurses had decided to keep all 20 beds open for now.

“Management agreed… to address the issues raised around skill mix and they agreed to monitor staff levels and skill mix, and then adjust surgeries and bed numbers accordingly,” Mr Holmes said.

“They’re actually going to take some notice of the skill mix and take some responsibility for managing that mix. “The nurses will continue to closely monitor the situation so that they, and their patients, have safe staffing levels and the appropriate skills mix to deal with the complexity of surgery done at the hospital,” he said.

Nurses initially closed the beds out of concern for the existing staff to patient ratio. They said patient safety was at risk under the former staffing regime.

Hospital management have also claimed the resolution as a win.

“The decision by Goulburn Branch of the NSWNA to overturn its previous resolution … is a responsible move in the best interests of public health,” Local Health District Nursing Director Tania Dufty said.

“The steps taken by the Goulburn Branch of the NSWNA demonstrates a willingness to work cooperatively with hospital and health district management to ensure that the health service provided to the people of Goulburn and surrounding communities is not compromised.

“SNSWLHD will continue to work with the NSWNA to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients and staff at Goulburn Base Hospital,” Ms Dufty said.