“ ... But without any real change or commitment to proper funding, we’ve been left with no choice.”
Grant said Allied health workers played a huge role in people’s health, from recovery and rehab to supporting everyday health needs.
“But ongoing underfunding means we’re stretched too thin, short on staff and battling workloads that just aren’t sustainable.”
Grant said Northlanders felt the impact with longer waits and fewer services available.
“We’re simply asking for fair treatment and the funding needed to keep Northland’s health services strong.”
PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimmons said workers were standing up for the public health system New Zealanders need and deserve.
“Unfortunately, Health NZ and this Government still refuse to hear concerns about the state of our health system,” Fitzsimmons said.
She said a commitment to fill vacancies quickly and to staff hospitals properly was needed.
“The health system is currently being held together by these workers’ goodwill for their patients.
“It’s not sustainable, it’s not fair on workers and doesn’t serve patients well either,” Fitzsimmons said.
Health workers were part of a mass strike by public service workers in October.
Establishing safe staffing levels, better recruitment and protecting their professions’ futures were the key reasons for the nationwide industrial action.
The PSA said since that strike, it had attended mediation through the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment but no settlement had been reached.
Health NZ confirmed today’s strike will not impact after-hours medical centres, GP clinics and pharmacies.
Northland hospitals will remain open and visiting hours will remain the same.
People with appointments should still attend unless told otherwise and impacted appointments will be rescheduled.
Health NZ said it respects its staff’s right to strike.
“We remain focused on reaching settlements with the union to avoid further disruption to patients.”
