Mixed Ward Nomination
The Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient Ratios) Amendment Act 2020 came into effect on 1 March 2021 and changes to the Safe Patient Care (Nurse to Patient and Midwife to Patient Ratios) Regulations 2015 commenced on 6 March 2019.
Mount Beauty Hospital Acute (6 beds) and Kiewa Valley House (18 beds) are a mixed ward at Alpine Health – Mount Beauty campus with a total of 24 beds.
Under the amended Act, Alpine Health - Mount Beauty campus is required to publish the details of its mixed wards that have varied staffing levels due to the patient types allocated to these wards. The information below (as at August 2026) is published in compliance with the Act.
Nurse to Patient Ratios:
Nurse to Patient Ratios - Mt Beauty Mixed Ward
|
|
Nurse: Patient Ratios
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|
Mt Beauty Mixed Ward
|
Number of beds
|
AM
|
PM
|
Night
|
|
Acute
Mt Beauty Hospital
|
5
|
1:6 + 1 in charge
|
1:7 + 1 in charge
|
1.10
|
|
Aged Care
Kiewa Valley House
|
19
|
|
Total beds
|
24 |
|
|
|
Data over a 12-month period (August 2025 to July 2026) shows the Mount Beauty mixed-ward recorded an average occupancy rate of 72.77%, equating to approximately 17 occupied beds.
The expected number of occupied beds in each portion of the ward, determined in accordance with section 12A (2) of the Act, is set out below.
Expected Occupied Beds by Portion (as of Aug 2026):
| Portion |
Occupancy Rate |
Occupied Beds |
| Acute (5 beds) |
40.58% |
2 beds |
| Aged Care (19 beds) |
81.42% |
15 beds |
| TOTAL (24 beds) |
72.77% |
17 beds |
Forecast for the next 6 months
| Month |
Occupancy Rate |
Occupied Beds |
| September 2026 |
72.77% |
17 beds |
| October 2026 |
72.77% |
17 beds |
| November 2026 |
72.77% |
17 beds |
| December 2026 |
72.77% |
17 beds |
| January 2027 |
72.77% |
17 beds |
| February 2027 |
72.77% |
17 beds |
Expected Occupied Beds by Portion - Forecast (Sept 2026 - Feb 2027):
| Portion |
Occupancy Rate |
Occupied Beds |
| Acute (5 beds) |
40.58% |
2 beds |
| Aged Care (19 beds) |
81.42% |
15 beds |
| TOTAL (24 beds) |
72.77% |
17 beds |