No numbers yet on job losses at Gisborne Hospital

Hospital Main Entrance

It is still not known how many back office jobs at Gisborne Hospital are on the chopping block as Te Whatu Ora Health NZ undergoes a massive restructure.

Te Whatu Ora earlier this year said some 1600 positions across New Zealand could potentially be axed following last year’s reforms to merge the 20 district health boards (DHB) into a national health service.

“Te Whatu Ora has the largest workforce in New Zealand with 90,000 people employed in the organisation. Earlier this year, we began consulting with staff on new organisational structures that unify and simplify the health system,” a spokesman said.

“The formation of Te Whatu Ora on July 1, 2022, brought together 29 different entities under one Crown entity, including the 20 former DHBs, eight shared service entities and Manatū Hauora (Ministry of Health) functions.

“We are implementing new national, regional and local organisational structures that unify and simplify the health system.

“We can improve the care we provide to patients, their whānau and communities by simplifying the way we work. This releases time and resources to invest in patient and community-facing care.

“By consolidating and reducing expenditure, more resources can be directed to delivering healthcare to all New Zealanders.

“The restructure process is being carried out in stages across Te Whatu Ora and we are communicating and consulting with staff and engaging with the unions representing our workforces.

“Included in the restructure are hospital and specialist services, commissioning, national public health service, service improvement and innovation, Pacific health, finance, data and digital, people and communications, infrastructure and investment, office of the chief executive, and procurement and supply chain.

“This change affects a large number of our kaimahi (workers) and started in June 2022. Its impacts range from changes in reporting lines to disestablishment of some roles. Most of the proposed changes will impact people who are in management and leadership roles and/or support functions.

“No patient-facing positions will be affected by these changes.

“We continue to work through thoughtful and extensive feedback from our staff and at this stage, as the change is occurring in stages, we do not have final numbers on how many positions may be affected.”