Nurses and midwives at Nepean Private Hospital will walk off the job for 26 hours from 6am tomorrow (Thursday, April 3) in an ongoing push for improved staffing conditions and fairer pay.

The strike is part of a series of rolling stoppages across Healthscope hospitals, following similar actions at Newcastle Private, Northern Beaches Hospital, and Norwest Private.

Members of the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) say they are determined to secure safer working conditions, calling on Healthscope - Australia’s second-largest private hospital operator - to prioritise patient care over profits.

“We need mandated nurse-to-patient and midwife-to-patient ratios to ensure safe, high-quality care,” an NSWNMA spokesperson said. “Our members are exhausted and overworked. Healthscope must recognise the reality on the ground and act now.”

The striking nurses and midwives are demanding a 15% wage increase over one year, 30% night shift penalties, and improved leave entitlements. An overtime ban will also be in place at Nepean Private from 6am to midnight during the strike.

The NSWNMA has confirmed that life-preserving care and minimum staffing levels will be maintained throughout the stop-work action.