Simeon Brown is calling on the NZ Nurses Organisation and Health NZ to get back to the negotiating table. Video / Mark Mitchell
Health New Zealand has criticised the nurses’ union’s actions after a strike at Christchurch Hospital was called off 45 minutes before it was due to begin.
The two-hour strike was planned for the perioperative, theatres and radiology services from 10am to 12pm yesterday.
However, the strike notice was lifted 45minutes before the industrial action was scheduled to begin.
Now, Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora is accusing the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) of playing with patients’ lives.
Health NZ’s industrial relations executive lead, Robyn Shearer, said the governing body prepared and postponed planned care and first specialist appointments in the affected departments.
“The strike notice was lifted 45 minutes before the action was due to start, leaving no time to reinstate the postponed planned care and appointments,” she said.
Nurses have been accused of playing with patients' lives after a strike was called off just before it was due to start. Photo / Northern Advocate
“Health NZ is deeply concerned at these actions and the impacts this will have on the 85 patients who had their care postponed yesterday.”
Health New Zealand chief executive Dr Dale Bramley also criticised a post made by an NZNO member on a closed Facebook group, suggesting the withdrawal was to “create chaos”.
“As part of the strategy to create chaos and keep Te Whatu Ora guessing the strike notice has been withdrawn,” the post read.
“Bloody beautiful tactics comrades.”
Bramley said: “I seek your urgent confirmation that this is not a deliberate tactic and your undertaking that this will not happen again.”
NZNO chief executive Paul Goulter told the Herald the Facebook post was made by an enthusiastic member.
“It is indicative of the depth of feeling our members have about their concerns, which haven’t been addressed by Te Whatu Ora through collective agreement bargaining,” he said.
“The threatened strike, as with the other industrial action, was over Te Whatu Ora’s ongoing failure to safely staff these facilities.
“Until Te Whatu Ora is prepared to change their position, member frustration and upset at the risk to patient safety will continue.”
David Williams is an Auckland-based multimedia journalist who joined the Herald in 2023. He covers breaking news and general topics.
