Association deputy director Angela Belich said many staff are feeling overwhelmed: They're living in a community that's still rebuilding, with stressed families and having to contend with added pressure at work.
CDHB staff are in uncharted territory and it is impossible to say when that pressure may begin to ease, she said. The amount of sick leave being taken by senior medical staff at the Canterbury District Health Board is an indication of the pressure they're under.
Figures obtained by Newstalk ZB under the Official Information Act show sick leave taken across the DHB has increased by 35 per cent since the earthquakes. When figures for senior medical staff alone are looked at, that increase rises to 120 per cent.
Belich said that is uncharacteristic for people in those positions. They're typically reluctant to take leave because of the impact on their patients. She hopes an increase in staff as part of the Government's mental health package will help ease the workload on senior doctors.
A well-being expert thinks Canterbury District Health Board staff may be worn down by adrenaline overload.
Workplace well-being director Hannah Airey said that with anxiety around the earthquakes and anxiety at work, staff can be constantly on edge. On a physiological level, that wears the body down and affects immunity.
She says the CDHB's decision to appoint a well-being, health and safety manager shows staff welfare is a priority, and says that should be applauded.
