News – Page 15 – Kaitiaki Nursing New Zealand

April 2022

‘Just don’t give up’: Decades-long journey sees Kate Te Pou become nurse practitioner

By Joel Maxwell

March 30, 2022

Kate Te Pou’s journey started with a childhood spent in hospitals, continued when she became a nurse in the ’80s – now after the “hardest year” of her study life, it’s taken a new turn.

April 2022

New member-led health and safety representative group launches after national meeting

By Joel Maxwell

March 25, 2022

NZNO health and safety (H&S) representatives will form a national member-led group to build an organising and support network.

April 2022

NZNO mental health nurse leader welcomes recruitment drive

By Mary Longmore

March 24, 2022

An NZNO mental health nursing leader is welcoming a new campaign to double the number of nurses training in mental health and addictions.

April 2022

NZNO announces campaign to fix staffing crisis across the health sector

By Mary Longmore and Joel Maxwell

March 21, 2022

The opening shots have been fired across the Government’s bows as NZNO announces preparation underway for a “large scale” campaign to fix the staffing crisis in nursing.

March 2022

Nurse shared explicit phone calls, ‘yummy yoga’ with prison inmate and former patient

By Joel Maxwell

March 18, 2022

A nurse who shared explicit phone calls with her former patient, a prison inmate, and told him she loved him, was found to have breached the health and disability code of consumers’ rights.

March 2022

First $22 million wave of cash announced for Interim Māori Health Authority

By Joel Maxwell

March 16, 2022

Māori health spending, including nurse recruitment, received a $22 million boost with the initial tranche of promised funding for once-in-a-generation reforms.

April 2022

Pay equity paperwork awaits legal advice as ratification process continues

By Joel Maxwell

March 16, 2022

District Health Board (DHB) nurses will likely receive details of an historic pay equity settlement by April 8.

March 2022

Nurses with COVID-19 could be back at the coal face under health order changes

By Mary Longmore and Joel Maxwell

March 9, 2022

COVID-19 positive nurses could return to work in Covid wards under health order changes – a move described as as sign of desperation by NZNO leadership.

March 2022

Canterbury regional hospitals closing as COVID-19 hits nurses

By Mary Longmore

March 7, 2022

Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) is temporarily closing four of its smaller regional hospitals to prepare for COVID-related staff absences, NZNO organiser Lynley Mulrine confirmed.

March 2022

Numbers of nurses on sick/isolation leave ‘unreal’ as hospitalisations grow

By Mary Longmore and Joel Maxwell

March 7, 2022

Nurses and their families around the country are falling prey to COVID-19 as hospitalisations near 700.

March 2022

Omicron ‘significant factor’ as Employment Court halts allied health workers’ strikes

By Joel Maxwell

March 4, 2022

Planned strike action by 10,000 allied health workers was halted by an Employment Court decision that included concerns about the impact of the Omicron surge.

March 2022

Court ruling on vaccine mandate ‘not relevant’ for nurses

By Mary Longmore

March 2, 2022

A High Court judgement overturning the COVID-19 vaccination mandate for New Zealand Police/Defence Force is ‘not relevant’ for nurses, say NZNO lawyers.

March 2023

Coal-fired boilers gone by 2025, fleet electrified — Te Whatu Ora vows to meet climate obligations

By Mary Longmore

February 28, 2022

Post-cyclone with more climate-change related extreme weather events predicted, plans for a carbon-neutral health system are being welcomed by health professionals — and the role of nurses is crucial.

March 2022

From teachers to nurses: New chief executive Paul Goulter starts at NZNO

By Joel Maxwell

February 28, 2022

Nurses and teachers could be working more closely together as the incoming NZNO chief executive Paul Goulter is welcomed to NZNO.

April 2022

Nursing magazine ditches century-old healthy-food title, finally becomes ‘guardian’

By Joel Maxwell

February 25, 2022

Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu (Although it is small, it is a treasure).
After 114 years, an incorrectly-named nursing magazine has – in a small physical correction, but big bicultural statement – gained its proper title.
Kai Tiaki magazine has now become Kaitiaki.

March 2022

Delayed by COVID-19 surge – proposed pay equity document now set for release

By Joel Maxwell

February 24, 2022

Omicron got in the way – but now the brakes are off for setting a date on a vote for pay equity.

March 2022

Emergency nurses in ‘moral distress’

By Mary Longmore

February 23, 2022

Emergency nurses are in “moral distress”, unable to provide “fundamental care” to patients, says a nurse leader.

March 2022

Government-commissioned review finds safe staffing programme ‘not fit-for-purpose’, nurses under pressure

By Joel Maxwell

February 17, 2022

Nurses are overworked, understaffed, face mental health pressure – and the safe staffing programme meant to fix this is not “fit-for-purpose” a review has found.

February 2022

Booster deadline extends over fears ‘thousands’ of nurses would be stood down as Omicron hits

By Mary Longmore

February 15, 2022

NZNO and other unions have convinced the Government to push back the deadline for nurses and health workers to get boosted by 10 days, amid fears of losing “thousands” of nurses amid an Omicron surge.

February 2022

‘Perfect storm’ coming as Omicron collides with nurse burnout

By Mary Longmore

February 8, 2022

NZNO warns health sector will be hard hit by ‘perfect storm’ of Omicron and burnout.

Uncut – news briefs

1 Apr	Health NZ wants your feedback on a Paediatric Adolescent and Young Adult Palliative Model of Care Health New Zealand \| Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) is seeking feedback on potential options for national palliative care services for tamariki, rangatahi/children, young people and their whānau/families.
27 March	Bar still too high for small mental health providers Small mental health providers will still be locked out of co-funding from the Mental Health Innovation Fund despite a lower threshold.
25 March	ICN advocates for health system gender equity and women’s health The International Council of Nurses (ICN) brought the nursing voice to the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) which wrapped up on Friday. ICN participated in critical discussions on gender equity and women’s health throughout the event.
19 March	ICN warns of healthcare crisis as USAID funding cuts devastate nursing initiatives in the world’s most vulnerable regions The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has documented alarming firsthand evidence of widespread disruption and collapse of essential health care services following the sudden withdrawal of USAID and other funding.
19 March	New High Dependency Unit will expand critical care services in Wellington Health Minister Simeon Brown has today officially opened Wellington Regional Hospital’s first High Dependency Unit (HDU).
13 March	Pharmac to fund more cancer medicines Pharmac is funding six more medicines for cancers and one for antibiotic resistant infections.
28 Feb	Pharmac CE resigns The Board of Pharmac wishes to announce that its Chief Executive for the last 7 years, Sarah Fitt, has resigned effective from 30 May 2025.
25 Feb	ICN issues updated statement on health care in conflict, calling for peace and compliance with international humanitarian law In recent years, the world has witnessed a disturbing increase in conflicts and wars, placing immense strain on health systems and exacerbating human suffering. Nurses have been at the forefront of these crises, responding to emergencies, supporting recovery efforts, and providing essential care to those affected by violence and displacement.
21 Feb	ICN’s new guidance on integrating nurse leaders into heart of health workforce planning The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has published a practical guide to including nurses in workforce planning decisions.
17 Feb	ICN warns of effect of US withdrawal from WHO on nurse-led services The International Council of Nurses (ICN) warned that the withdrawal of the United States from WHO has already halted some nurse-led services, including vaccination programmes and care for people with HIV/AIDS.
17 Feb	Minister acknowledges outgoing Director-General Health Minister Simeon Brown has today acknowledged the resignation of Director-General of Health and Chief Executive of the Ministry of Health, Dr Diana Sarfati, and thanked her for her service.
12 Feb	Pharmac funds medicines for liver, ovarian, and neuroendocrine cancers People with liver, ovarian, and neuroendocrine cancers will have access to more medicines from 1 March 2025.
11 Feb	Consultation begins on work to improve patient access to medical devices Pharmac is continuing to improve the way medical devices are managed for New Zealanders, today opening consultation on its comprehensive list of medical devices used by public hospitals.
3 Feb	First Whānau Āwhina Plunket site in NZ delivering childhood vaccinations Childhood immunisations are now being delivered at a Whānau Āwhina Plunket site in Whāngarei, with other regions soon to also provide the new service.
29 Jan	Local access to specialist audiology services comes to Wairarapa A newly established out-patient clinic for ear, nose, and throat (ENT) and audiology appointments is providing Wairarapa patients with local access to specialist hearing services for the first time.
29 Jan	Pharmac reconsiders oestradiol patch options following community feedback Pharmac is reviewing and reconsidering its oestradiol patch options after considerable feedback was received when it announced a move to a single funded brand late last year.
22 Jan	Consultations for cancer and ADHD medicines close soon Pharmac is encouraging people to have their say on proposals to fund six more medicines and change the brand of one medicine before consultation closes on 27 January.
20 Dec	Health NZ introduces public reporting of key primary healthcare measures and PHO performance Health New Zealand \| Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) has introduced public reporting of key primary healthcare measures and Primary Health Organisation (PHO) performance.
19 Dec	Quarter 1 performance report released Health New Zealand \| Te Whatu Ora has today published its Quarterly Performance Report for Quarter 1, covering the period 1 July to 30 September 2024.
18 Dec	Recent uptick in Boostrix immunisations amid whooping cough epidemic, but work still to do As the healthcare sector continues to respond to a whooping cough (pertussis) epidemic across the motu, it’s promising to see a recent uptick in the number of Boostrix immunisations among the 15- to 44-year-old age group, with a recent doubling of doses administered from about 1,000 per week to over 2,000 per week.
18 Dec	Extra security to again keep EDs safe this summer Health Minister Dr Shane Reti is again reminding New Zealanders that violence against patients, visitors and health workers won’t be tolerated, with additional security for hospital emergency departments across the country this summer.
13 Dec	Mental health and addiction targets implementation plans released Health New Zealand \| Te Whatu Ora has today published its first quarterly results for four of the five mental health and addiction targets, covering the period 1 July – 30 September 2024.
12 Dec	Health targets encouraging – work continues New data shows that the Government’s focus on health targets is putting the brakes on the steep decline in delivery seen over the past five years.
12 Dec	Gisborne receives mental health beds boost Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey today opened Gisborne Hospital’s new acute mental health unit, Te Whare Awhi Ora, and says the region will be better served by a bigger, more therapeutic acute mental health unit.
9 Dec	Afghan women ‘banned from nursing and midwife training’ in latest blow to rights BBC News has reported that female nursing and midwifery students in Afghanistan have been told not to return to their studies, effectively ending women’s only access to further education, and putting women and children’s lives at risk.
9 Dec	How student and early career nurses can influence policymaking The International Council of Nurses (ICN) held a webinar which highlighted the vital importance of primary and preventative health care in meeting the World Health Organization’s (WHO) challenging goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2030
3 Dec	Health NZ end-of-year deficit confirmed In publishing its annual report, Health NZ has confirmed it ended the financial year with a deficit of $722 million, against a target surplus of $54 million.
2 Dec	ICN says COP29 climate finance shortfall threatens the planet’s health The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has expressed profound disappointment with the outcomes of COP29, held in Baku, particularly the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance that was passed despite significant objections from developing countries.
29 Nov	Minister reminds public health officials of priorities Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti says the National Public Health Service should concentrate its focus on prioritising serious public health issues facing New Zealanders.
29 Nov	Community providers rally to protect hapū māma and pēpi as national whooping cough case numbers surpass 1,000 for 2024 Hapū māmā are being urged to get immunised, and parents and caregivers are encouraged to get their babies immunised on time, as whooping cough case numbers continue to climb across Aotearoa New Zealand.
28 Nov	Govt ignores health crisis, plans to axe 1500 public health roles The health of New Zealanders will suffer because of the Government’s plan to axe nearly 1500 roles at Te Whatu Ora, coming at a time when the public health system is already under severe pressure.
27 Nov	Health New Zealand Establishes Technical Advisory Group to Lead Transformation in Maternity Care This team of experts and community representatives will play a key role in the development of the Maternity Commissioning Framework, a core element of the wider Kahu Taurima programme, which aims to make maternity and early years services more equitable, accessible, and whānau-centered.
22 Nov	Whooping Cough epidemic declared across Aotearoa New Zealand Health agencies have confirmed today that Aotearoa New Zealand is now in the early stages of a Whooping Cough epidemic, with a nationally coordinated response now in place.
20 Nov	A Global Map of Winter Depression Healthnews has released an extensive study that ranks 194 countries based on their winter-pattern Seasonal Depression Disorder (SAD) risk.
18 Nov	Potential travel disruption expected with Tuesday’s national Hīkoi Health New Zealand \| Te Whatu Ora urges those with an appointment scheduled at Wellington Regional Hospital on Tuesday morning or early afternoon, to please allow extra time to get to appointments.
15 Nov	ICN’s calls on G20 leaders to address international health worker migration crisis Ahead of the G20 Leaders Summit in Rio de Janeiro next week, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) welcomes the Declarations recently adopted by the G20 Health Working Group and health ministers.
13 Nov	Measles case confirmed in Tāmaki Makaurau Health New Zealand \| Te Whatu Ora has confirmed today that a new case of measles has been identified on Waiheke Island in Auckland. The case and their household are being supported by the National Public Health Service (NPHS), with those most at risk now in quarantine to help reduce the chance of further spread.
5 Nov	Safety fears ahead of changes to mental health 111 calls Mental Health Nurses have serious concerns about the safety of their patients, the public, their colleagues and themselves when police changes to emergency 111 calls come into effect on Monday, New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa says.