Local nurses and midwives will hold a lunchtime rally in Wollongong today, to highlight the need for mandated nurse-to-patient ratios in public hospitals.
They're calling on the Liberal-Nationals government, as well as candidates in this month's State Election, to commit to the ratios and enforce them in law.
Last year, Opposition Leader Luke Foley committed a future Labor government to introduce shift-by-shift nurse-to-patient ratios.
Public hospitals in Queensland and Victoria enjoy the benefits of the ratios, but New South Wales does not - despite eight years of campaigning.
The NSW Nurses and Midwives Association says it would create a safer environment for local patients in emergency departments, paediatric wards and postnatal maternity units.
It will also improve care at medical and surgical units and adult acute inpatient mental health units.
The rally gets underway at 12pm at MacCabe Park - everyone is invited to attend.