29 Nov 2011

State hospitals open again

6:09 am on 29 November 2011

Hospitals in the state of Victoria in Australia are returning to normal after a bitter dispute between nurses and the state government.

Hospitals reported on Monday that almost all the 800 beds closed by nurses were open again.

The work bans were dropped following a third ruling from Fair Work Australia on Friday.

The ABC reports both parties are now returning to closed conciliation talks to try to negotiate a pay deal and guarantees on nurse-to-patient ratios.

The nurses want a pay rise of 18.5% over three years and guaranteed staffing levels or nurse-patient ratios.

The Government has offered a 2.5% pay rise per year plus productivity gains.