Healthscope private hospital nurses can now opt to work at other hospitals through shutdown periods, under a new two-year agreement being touted as a benchmark for the private hospital sector.

The deal includes a 3.85 percent pay rise in 2011 and 2012 for more than 2000 nurses at 12 facilities in New South Wales.

It also features improved working conditions ranging from three days of paid professional development leave, five days of trade union training leave and extra options during annual shutdown periods.

Newcastle Private Hospital maternity nurse and NSW Nurses’ Association branch president Karen Noble said the new shutdown clause was a "big win" for nurses.

"At Newcastle, this is mainly an issue for theatre nurses," she said.

"The big win is the fact that theatre nurses can work in another part of the hospital or an adjacent Healthscope private hospital or facility if they want to, so they don’t have to take annual leave during the shutdown.

"It supports nurses because it’s their choice – they are not forced into working or being on call."

NSW Nurses’ Association general secretary Judith Kiejda said while the deal set a new standard for other employers in the private sector to follow suit, there was more work to be done in the area of mandated staffing arrangements.

"We will be working to achieve this next time," she said.

The union win comes as hospitals in Western Australia prepare to cancel elective surgery due to ongoing industrial action from hospital support staff, including orderlies, cleaners and caterers.

WA Health Minister Kim Hames has attacked the Liquor Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union (LHMU) for using work bans that affect patients.

The LHMU has accused the government of contracting out services and placing jobs at risk.