The Premier’s failure to negotiate with the Nurses Federation caused the dispute to drag on for nine days, causing increased suffering to thousands of Victorians waiting in pain, said Helen Shardey, Shadow Minister for Health.

“We are pleased an agreement has been reached, however Victorians have suffered through nine days of protracted confrontation because John Brumby stubbornly refused to negotiate earlier with the nurses,” said Mrs Shardey.

“This dispute should never have happened – the Brumby Government is entirely responsible for the hundreds of patients who had their surgery cancelled.

“The dismissive attitude by the Premier has contributed to the crisis in our health system.

“The Premier claims we have the most efficient hospital system – I think the 38,109 patients on the waiting list would disagree with him.

“Our hospitals are crippled by lack of state funding which has fallen to less than any other state or territory in the past five years.

“Bed shortages are the lowest per capita across Australia and the number of bureaucrats is only increasing.

“These factors are putting enormous pressure on our doctors and nurses trying to cope in a system which is absolutely in crisis.

“This week, Victorian hospitals were pushed beyond capacity, with several forced onto bypass and hundreds of patients left stranded and waiting hours in emergency rooms.

“The Premier should hang his head in shame for letting this latest crisis get this far.

“Our hard working nurses should not be intimidated by management and threatened with fines and pay docking.

“Patients deserve to feel neglected, frustrated and angry and responsibility for this crisis lies with the bullying Premier and his embattled junior health minister,” said Mrs Shardey.