Taupō Hospital strike: Nurses swap uniforms for T-shirts for a month

Striking nurses at Taupō Hospital are not wearing their uniforms for a month. Photo / Laurilee McMichael

Nurses at Taupō Hospital are swapping their uniforms for T-shirts for a month to expose “the need for better and safer staffing”.

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) strike began on February 2 and ends on March 2 at 11.59pm.

In a statement to the Rotorua Daily Post, NZNO delegate and nurse Marlene Snowden said nurses’ voices had “consistently been ignored”, and “no meaningful or sustainable solutions” had been implemented.

“Despite district nurses repeatedly outlining the significant problems caused by unsafe staffing levels, including increased workload pressures, risks to staff wellbeing, and impacts on patient safety and continuity of care – these concerns have not been acted upon."

Staff would wear “colourful, mainly red, T-shirts” instead of uniforms during the strike.

This was designed to prompt patients and members of the public to ask about the conditions they worked in, she said.

“This type of action is effective. It allows us to keep alive our message about the need for better and safer staffing.”

When patients, their family members and friends saw them dressed differently, they usually asked about their clothes, she said.

“That gives us the chance to tell them about Te Whatu Ora and the Government refusing to fix the unsafe staffing crisis we’re experiencing.”

Snowden said Taupō district nurses were short of about six staff.

“Being short-staffed means we have to ration care. We can’t see everyone when we need to and have to rush the appointments of those we can get to.

“We’re often working late, unpaid. It’s just stressful as we have to triage on a daily basis who we can and can’t see.

“It’s not fair on our patients and their whānau.”

Health NZ responds

A Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora spokesperson said it remained committed to reaching a settlement with the NZNO.

“We are continuing to work with the NZNO in good faith and will resume bargaining in mid-February.”

The spokesperson said the agency acknowledged the concerns of Taupō district nurses, and “patient safety and staff wellbeing are our top priority”.

Health NZ was working alongside the Lakes district nursing service to address the concerns raised.

“We value the significant contribution of our nursing workforce and remain dedicated to ensuring we have the right staff and skill mix to deliver quality and safe patient care.”

Health NZ was asked what recruitment efforts were in place for nurses at Taupō Hospital.

In July, about 800 Rotorua NZNO union members went on strike for 24 hours as they called for more resources and safe staffing.

Local NZNO members also joined the October mega-strike in Rotorua for the same cause.

Megan Wilson is a health and general news reporter for the Bay of Plenty Times and the Rotorua Daily Post. She has been a journalist since 2021.