ABOUT 50 nursing staff attended a rally outside Tweed Hospital today to protest against the proposed changes to the workers' compensation policy of the NSW Government.

NSW Nurses Association Tweed Heads branch president and rally organiser Zoe Guinea said it was an unfair workers' compensation policy for health workers the state government was proposing.

"They (state government) want to reduce the 26 weeks in full pay down to 13 weeks," Ms Guinea said.

"Medical expense will be capped no matter what is a person's health problem.

"They are going for the workers that are injured not the problem."

Ms Guinea said it was a "nasty" set of reforms.

"This really paints a dire picture for people who require workers' compensation," she said.

ALP Murwillumbah branch secretary Pat Miller spoke at the rally.

"This is demonisation of employees on workers' compensation," Mr Miller said.

"Workers' compensation was a basic right for workers in any state.

"What they (the state government) are saying is that you're a bunch of bludgers.

"People off injured can't wait to get back to work and get some normalcy in their lives."

Sue Crossingham from Murwillumbah hospital was also at the rally to represent the 161 Murwillumbah members of the Nurses Association.

Tweed Hospital has more than 400 members of the union.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said last month that reform of WorkCover was necessary.

"Reform is vital to workers, employers and the state's economy," Mr O'Farrell said.

"The former Labor Government let WorkCover fall into a heap - a $4.1 billion deficit at December 2011 means the scheme is unsustainable.

"Without changes Pricewaterhouse Coopers advises that workers' compensation premiums would need to rise by 28% to get the scheme back into the black.

"That would be devastating for employees and employers alike.

My Daily News is seeking a response from the State Government on today's rally in Tweed Heads.