Māori and public health teams facing cuts at Health NZ
Wednesday, 27 November 2024
Staff at Health NZ - Te Whatu Ora, the provider of the nation’s public health service, are readying themselves for what’s understood to be a proposal about significant layoffs.
Emails seen by Stuff show that staff across the health service have been invited to restructure meetings on Wednesday.
Spokespeople for Health NZ wouldn’t confirm how many staff could lose their roles, or what projects would be cancelled as a result of the proposed restructure.
Internal emails indicate that teams working in Hauora Māori, the National Public Health Service, and the Data and Digital unit, have been warned that cuts are on the way.
Why it matters
While it’s understood the restructure won’t be targeting medically trained staff, sources at the health department say it’s likely to hit teams working on projects impacting front-line health services.
For instance, the National Public Health Service is tasked with reducing the spread of infectious disease - including in schools and kōhanga. It advises councils and central Government about environmental and public health policy and practise.
That team monitors, for instance, the spread of infectious disease, the health impacts of hazardous substances, and smoking and vaping policy.
The Hauora Māori team is tasked with reducing inequities Māori face accessing healthcare. Māori are expected to die 7.5 years earlier than non-Māori. Across primary care, mental health and cancer care, studies show the outcomes for Māori tend to be worse - even if every other factor is the same.
The Digital and Data team had been assigned with bringing all the disparate DHB computer systems together, and improving information sharing with GP, specialist and hospital clinicians. Sources in those teams said they hoped their work would improve the speed of healthcare, help patients get better care, and save money for Health NZ.
The agency needs to save some money.
It is forecast to run a $1.8 billion overspend by the end of the financial year in June.
Health Minister Shane Reti appointed Professor Lester Levy as the commissioner of health, removing the entire board of directors in July, and tasked him with creating a “turnaround plan” for the health department.
The breakdown
A spokesperson for Health NZ confirmed a “change process” was starting this week.
It was unclear, on Tuesday, exactly how many roles were on the cutting block. Some sources predicted it would be hundreds of roles on the line.
Asked if that was correct, the spokesperson replied: “While this process is ongoing, we can’t speculate on how many roles may be impacted.”
They added, “No decisions will be made this side of Christmas.”
Last month, Health NZ boss Margie Apa restructured her senior leadership team - cutting the heads of HR, digital and data.
“These changes are all part of the wider HNZ reset to ensure we get back on budget, live within our means and deliver faster and easier access to healthcare for New Zealanders,” she said, at the time.
By the numbers
Health NZ has been cutting roles for much of the year. It has accepted more than 400 voluntary redundancies so far.
Health NZ is the biggest department the Government runs. It employs more than 80,000 staff, working in hospitals and healthcare services across the country. The health sector workforce has been growing year-on-year since 2011, according to the Public Service Commission. In 2010 and 2011, it froze at about 68,000.
For context: This rest of the public service, excluding police, teachers, and the military, employs less than 65,000 people.
Government departments have been dealing with cutbacks all year, but Health NZ - unlike most other departments - receiveda funding boost, rather than cut, at this year’s Budget.
Across the public service, Stuff has confirmed more than 6000 jobs have been cut. Some groups, such as the Public Service Association, have said more than 7000 jobs have gone.
What next?
Health NZ staff would be called into meetings throughout Wednesday.