Source: Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi
The PSA is calling Health NZ’s decision to hire 380 new nurses nationwide a sign of a panicking government, not a meaningful solution to the chronic underfunding across Aotearoa’s public healthcare system.
“Although health workers will welcome any new hires into their massively overstretched teams, 380 nurses nationwide is a drop in the bucket when it comes to current vacancies,” Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi national secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons, says.
“We know, for example, that there are around 70 vacancies just in the Counties Manukau district in South Auckland. There are 35 vacancies at the secure unit of Mason Clinic, also in Auckland.
“Allied health and administration teams across the country are carrying massive vacancies. There are dozens of data and digital roles still unfilled everywhere.
“All of these vacancies must be filled for New Zealand to have the fully functional public healthcare system we all want and deserve.
“The PSA and other health unions have been ringing alarm bells about widespread vacancies causing stress, burnout and a poorer level of care for years now.
“Frankly, this announcement is the sign of a government and health minister panicking 43 days out from an election, when they will be held to account by New Zealanders for running our health system into the ground.”
The Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi is Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest trade union, representing and supporting more than 95,000 workers across central government, state-owned enterprises, local councils, health boards and community groups.