April 23, 2024
Nurses told to suck up higher workload
The Nurses Organisation says contrary to government assurances, frontline services for hospital nursing care are about to take a significant hit.
Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says Government demands forsavings is behind Te Whatu Ora banning double shifts or replacing unwell nurses on day-shifts.
She says these and other cost-saving measures will inevitably endanger patients as already under-pressure nurses are forced to take on more work.
“This is really sending some clear messages from government that they don’t really care about nursing. They’re just going for what the numbers look like – and trying to drive down the costs – by using this biggest workforce that is frontline, that is patient-centred and we’re just going to have to suck it up,”” Ms Nuku says.
Maori nurses make up about 9 percent of the 77,000-strong workforce, and many are heading to Australia for better opportunities, and to join whānau already living there.