November 19, 2021
Hospitals count cost of jab mandate
Hospitals around the country are struggling to fill gaps created by staff who have failed or refused to get a COVID vaccination.
The vaccination mandate kicked in at midnight on Monday, and it appears about 1300 workers around the country haven’t had the jab.
Nurses Organisation kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says while that’s a small number relative to the whole health workforce, the effect will be felt nationwide.
“Considering that the health system itself is already under considerable strain so any number whether its 10 nurses in tairāwhiti or 20 nurses in lakes district it’s going to be a huge number and huge resource to absorb in an already failing workforce situation”. she says.