Hawke's Bay District Health Board could face up to 35 job losses across all disciplines, raising concerns about patient care and staff stress levels.
"(Staff) are very concerned about what these proposals will mean for patient safety and for their own ability to provide safe care," New Zealand Nurses Organisation(NZNO) organiser for Hawke's Bay District Health Board Stephanie Thomas said.
News of the possible cuts came after a memo to the board's older persons, mental health, and allied health services' leaders service manager Allison Stevenson was leaked yesterday.
It announced a potential loss of 35 jobs, as well as a "sinking lid" policy on all recruitment, saying no new positions would be created, unless they came with funding, Ms Thomas said.
However, board chief executive Kevin Snee claimed the staff memo had been taken out of context. "The DHB is looking at a number of ways where it can make savings so it can meet its financial budgets and complete capital projects such as developments in Wairoa, a new renal and endoscopy suite, improved rheumatology service, new theatre and a number of other projects.
"The quality and productivity improvements may impact on jobs, which could result in a very small number of job losses across the DHB, which has been estimated to be about 35.
"At this stage, nothing has been finalised."
The nurses union said Bay of Plenty District Health Board nurses had also been warned of job losses.
NZNO chief executive Geoff Annals said the job cuts made a mockery of Health Minister Tony Ryall's mantra that no frontline jobs would go.
"We are hearing of nursing job cuts around the country, in both hospitals and the community," Mr Annals said. "Frontline nursing jobs are going, as the Government puts the pressure on DHB's to meet budget targets.
"What this will mean is greater health costs down the track, as people did not get the care they needed, when they needed it."
Health Minister Tony Ryall said health boards would receive more money than ever this year.
