Health Minister expects language policy reversal

Claudette Hauiti Shane Reti | Health Minister expects language policy reversal

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Health Minister Shane Reti expects Waikato Public Hospital to reverse its decision to require nursing staff to speak only English while at work.

Last Friday, a memo was sent to all nursing staff, outlining concerns about the use of other languages.

The memo stated that the exclusive use of English in all clinical settings was safer for patient care.

Reti says he has spoken with Te Whatu Ora Waikato officials, and he expects them to consider this whakaaro.

“English is the base language for nursing, but if it’s clinically safe and appropriate for nurses to speak their first language to each other and patients, then kei te pai, That’s good with me,” says Reti.

A doctor who saw the memo says it was aimed at Indian, Filipino, and Pasifika nurses, who were healthcare “heroes” but were now being victimized.

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