“I am attending the rally because I believe we need to be doing everything we can to get the message across to the Government and Te Whatu Ora bosses that things are not OK here on the ground.
“Every day I come to work and there is simply not enough staff in our wards to safely care for our patients, and the staff are beyond exhausted and stressed.
“Our staff and our communities are at risk every day.”
NZNO chief executive Paul Goulter said the issues boiled down to the same things for nurses everywhere — unsafe staffing levels and a fundamental undervaluing of the work they do.
Health workers and communities would ask political parties, in this election year, to address the nursing crisis and for health to top their list of election priorities.
“Decades of poor planning, inadequate funding and outright neglect across successive governments have led us to a time of absolute crisis in terms of pay, staffing resources and morale across the nursing sector.
“Add to that poor conditions, chronic overwork and the Government’s refusal to settle outstanding pay issues and it’s no wonder thousands have left for Australia, and thousands more are making plans to leave.”
NZNO will launch a petition at the rallies calling on political parties to commit to fixing the nursing crisis.
Mr Goulter expects a massive response to the petition.
“This is a chance for the public in Aotearoa New Zealand to express their concerns for the wellbeing of our nurses and their concerns about the future of our health system.
“The crisis is worsening by the day but it can be fixed with commitment and courage; and we want the public’s help in sending that message to those wanting our votes in 2023.”
Mr Goulter said the Government needed “to stop pussy-footing around”.
“We need 4000 to 5000 more nurses; it’s as simple as that, so we want to see everything possible being done without delay.”
Gisborne nurses will gather at Heipipi-Endeavour Park tomorrow from 10am. They will then march to Kelvin Park at 11am for a rally.
