The Shooters Fishers and Farmers Party has called for an increased security presence at Scone and Muswellbrook hospitals.
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The party's Upper Hunter byelection candidate and registered nurse Sue Gilroy said existing security staff were often preoccupied with other hospital duties such as transferring patients.
"We don't want to see a patient being portered in the hospital when a code black is called, and that patient having to be left so that the Health and Security Assistant can attend to the code black," Ms Gilroy said following a meeting Health Services Union representatives on Thursday.
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The party has called for the two more security staff to be employed at the hospitals on a 24/7 basis to ensure security can be managed in a "proactive and reactive" way.
"We see 24/7 security in hospitals across the state, so my question to the government why not us? Is the safety of our nurses and hospital staff worth less than others?"
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The party is also pushing for improved health services for severely ill patients and expectant mothers in the Upper Hunter.
"Along my journey I've spoken to parents who are required to travel as far as John Hunter Hospital to treat their children as well as mothers who can't give birth in their local hospitals due to the lack of services in our community.
"The Upper Hunter contributes millions to the state, yet we're forgotten and neglected when it comes to essentials like healthcare. It's time to hold the Liberal National Government to account for the neglect they've shown to our community."
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Matthew Kelly
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
