Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation
Te Whatu Ora has today apologised to NZNO for acting “unreasonably” over the release of safe staffing data which contradicts its claims hospitals aren’t short-staffed.
Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) strategic researcher Nathalie Jaques says the data shows what members are saying.
“Our members are telling Te Whatu Ora they are understaffed and overworked. They’re saying this is putting patient safety at risk.”
The Care Capacity Demand Management data shows from January to November 2024 day shifts across all wards were understaffed 51% of the time and all evening shifts were understaffed 35% of the time, she says.
The apology follows an investigation by the Ombudsman which found Te Whatu Ora (see findings attached) “unreasonably” delayed and obstructed the release of data about hospital shifts being staffed below recommended safety levels.
In a letter to Nathalie Jaques (also attached), Te Whatu Ora said: “We acknowledge that refusing this request was not appropriate and may have contributed to delays in the important work you are undertaking on behalf of our kaimahi.”
Te Whatu Ora added it was now “proactively strengthening its processes” to ensure it complies with its obligations under the Official Information Act.
NZNO Chief Executive Paul Goulter welcomed the apology as the right thing to do.
The apology comes as more than 36,000 NZNO nurses, midwives, health care assistants and kaimahi hauora will strike again tomorrow (Thursday 4 September).
It is the second time this week NZNO members are walking off the job after Te Whatu Ora failed to address their concerns about patient safety after a year of bargaining.
- NZNO members will strike tomorrow from 7am to 11pm on Tuesday and Thursday.
- The strike will be a complete withdrawal of labour at every place in New Zealand where Te Whatu Ora provides health care or hospital care services. Life Preserving Services will continue to be provided.
- NZNO has been in negotiations with Te Whatu Ora since September 2024 and has engaged in 28 days of talks including as recently as last Wednesday.
- Of those 28 days, 13 days were with support from the Mediation Service and three were in facilitation with the Employment Relations Authority.
