Kia ora koutou katoa, On behalf of Simon Everitt & Tricia Keelan; You will be aware from reports in the media that the NZNO and District Health Boards are working on ways to address nurses’ concerns about their pay and their conditions of work. You will also be aware that nurses are critical to providing health services and are highly respected and essential members of the health team. Negotiations are ongoing between District Health Boards and the nurses’ union NZNO to address nurses’ concerns. Whilst we are all hoping for, and working towards, an amicable resolution we need to be prepared if this doesn’t happen. The NZNO has indicated their next step could be industrial action including strike action. The effect of removing a large percentage of the nursing workforce from our hospitals, for even a short period of time, is hard to overstate. And to ensure patient safety, we must be prepared as an organisation should strike action take place. Contingency planning has begun in all DHBs across New Zealand. Scope for Primary Health Organisations/Alliances is to act in a coordination/communication role regarding general practices involvement. We ask that you please pass this message onto your general practice networks. It's important to remember that the decisions made throughout this contingency planning process will be made in the best interest of our patients. I would ask for your understanding should any of these decisions impact you. NZNO has advised us that NZNO members intend to rally and take other protest action this week in support of the collective bargaining. This protest action will take place outside Tauranga Hospital on 19 April and Whakatāne Hospital on 20 April, between 12 noon and 1pm. Our full hospital services will not be affected by this protest action. This is possibly the first message of many from us, as we intend to keep you fully informed about our planning and your possible involvement. Nga mihi, Sarah Nash
Sarah Nash Project Coordinator Te Teo Herenga Waka (Planning & Funding Team) Bay of Plenty District Health Board Ph. 07 579 8050 Fax. 07 578 0941 Email. Sarah.nash@bopdhb.govt.nz