Historical information
Button distributed to and worn by Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) members and staff as part of a 2003-2004 campaign to secure minimum nurse staffing in the public healthcare sector. The '5-4-20' denotes a minimum of five nurses for twenty patients in a general medical or surgical ward. During this period, staffing ratios were secured as part of bargaining negotiations between unions and employer groups. After decades of campaigning from the ANF/ANMF, ratios were legislated for the public sector in Victoria with the passing of the Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient) Bill in 2015.
This campaign was featured in ANF Victorian Branch newsletters from late 2003 to early 2004. Entitled the '5-4-20 campaign', it was officially launched on 19 November 2003. Advertisements and shirts from the time featured the slogan, '5 nurses for 20 patients. Nothing less!' along with the ANF logo and illustrations by The Age cartoonist Ron Tandberg. The campaign was to promote the role of minimum nurse to patient ratios in ensuring patient safety and encouraging nurse recruitment and retention.
Physical description
Circular yellow, blue and red badge. Silver metal, plastic-coated, with safety pin fastener adhered to back.
Badge printed with '5-4-20' and a blue and red triangle design.
Subjects
References
- Battle: The Road to Ratios Legislation (ANMF Vic Branch Documentary) 28-minute documentary produced by Blacksheep Films in collaboration with the Australian Nursing & Midwifery Federation (Victorian Branch). Includes interviews with current and former leadership and members, as well as academics and journalists, reflecting on the campaigning that led to the passing of the Victorian Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient Ratios) Act in 2015.
- Internet Archive: Australian Nursing Federation Victoria website (December 2003) This 2003 capture of the ANF Victorian Branch website provides an overview of the '5-4-20'/'5 nurses for 20 patients. Nothing less!' campaign.
