Northland hospital nurses strike for safe staffing levels

“Help! Our public health system needs life support!”

That was one of the key messages from Whangārei Hospital nurses on strike yesterday, as part of nationwide action by the NZ Nurses Organisation (NZNO).

The 24-hour strike occurred after pay negotiations with Health NZ Te Whatu Ora broke down.

Signs held by nurses at the Whangārei picket line also read: “Inject us with safe staffing” and “RIP public health system”.

NZNO chief executive Paul Goulter said the union’s key concern is that Health NZ is failing to address chronic and ongoing staff shortages, which can lead to unsafe staffing in hospitals.

“Short-staffing not only puts patients at risk, it impacts on the number of procedures and assessments hospitals can carry out, adding to wait times.”

But Health NZ is reassuring Kiwis it is committed to safe staffing in its hospitals, putting what it calls a fair offer to nurses.

Acting chief clinical officer Dame Helen Stokes-Lampard said she was concerned the strike will impact patients, with 4300 planned procedures and specialist appointments having to be postponed nationwide.

Life-preserving services were maintained, providing support in emergencies.

Striking nurses at Whangārei Hospital were supported by members of the NZ Professional Firefighters Union as they walked off the job at 9am yesterday.

The busy picket line garnered plenty of toots of support, with Green MP Hūhana Lyndon among those attending.

A picket outside Kaitāia Hospital also attracted plenty of attention.

NZNO said rolling strikes will continue if Health NZ doesn’t make changes to its offer.

Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.