News – Page 20 – Kaitiaki Nursing New Zealand

June 2021 vol 27 no 5

Sore arm ‘worth it’

By Kai Tiaki editors

June 1, 2021

NZNO and Public Service Association (PSA) members got their COVID-19 vaccinations at Auckland District Health Board (ADHB) recently.

Incensed by a public sector pay freeze and a one-off cash payment instead of a long-term pay rise, NZNO’s district health board (DHB) members this month voted ‘overwhelmingly’ to reject the DHBs’ latest offer and go on strike.

Read more... Strike ‘a warning’ to DHBs

June 2021 vol 27 no 5

Scholarship submissions open for awards to support Māori nurses

By Kai Tiaki editors

June 1, 2021

Submissions have opened for the fourth annual PHARMAC Tapuhi Kaitiaki Awards.

June 2021 vol 27 no 5

New health entities ‘fully functional’ by Sept 2022

By co-editor Joel Maxwell

June 1, 2021

Transition unit bosses give clues on how sweeping health reforms will roll out.

June 2021 vol 27 no 5

Leading from the two houses

By co-editor Joel Maxwell

June 1, 2021

New co-chair, Māori, for the National Nursing Leaders group Brenda Close talks about the two houses of modern nursing leadership.

May 2021 vol 27 no 4

Budget 2021: Government lays out cash for transition to new health system

By Kai Tiaki editors

May 20, 2021

The Government has splashed $486 million in Budget 2021 to kick start its planned health system revamp.

May 2021 vol 27 no 4

Membership surge after strike news

By Kai Tiaki editors

May 19, 2021

A surge of nurses joined NZNO the day it announced plans to strike next month, and is continuing, after an “overwhelming” vote by members over district health board pay negotiations.

May 2021 vol 27 no 4

‘Preventable’ virus costs 17,000 health workers’ lives globally

By Kai Tiaki editors

May 17, 2021

At least 17,000 health workers died in the past year as the world reacted too slowly to the “preventable” COVID-19 pandemic, a new World Health Organisation report has found.

May 2021 vol 27 no 4

Nurses vote to strike on June 9

By Kai Tiaki editors

May 14, 2021

NZNO members working in District Health Boards (DHBs) have “overwhelmingly” voted to strike after rejecting last month’s offer in multi-employer collective agreement (MECA) negotiations.

May 2021 vol 27 no 4

Filipino nurses stopped at border

By Kai Tiaki editors

May 1, 2021

The ambassador to the Philippines has stepped in to ask the New Zealand Government to change its visa rules after eight Filipino nurses trying to fly to New Zealand were halted at Manila’s airport earlier this year.

May 2021 vol 27 no 4

‘Complex’ constitutional review pushed back

By Kai Tiaki editors

May 1, 2021

A review of NZNO’s constitution is unlikely to be completed in time for the 2021 NZNO annual general meeting (AGM) in September, says NZNO’s board of directors.

May 2021 vol 27 no 4

Concerns over unregulated vaccinators

By Kai Tiaki editors

May 1, 2021

Questions remain over plans to use lay people in the Government’s ambitious COVID-19 vaccination rollout.

May 2021 vol 27 no 4

Late CTU leader ‘unionist to her boots’

By Kai Tiaki editors

May 1, 2021

She was a “unionist to her boots” and had she lived, Helen Kelly might even have a nice view from a Beehive office by now.

May 2021 vol 27 no 4

Nurses ‘profoundly affected’ by end-of-life law

By Kai Tiaki editors

May 1, 2021

Nurses must not be forgotten in the End of Life Choice Act (EOLCA), due to come into effect on November 7, NZNO says.

May 2021 vol 27 no 4

NZNO ‘disappointed’ at midwives’ comments

By Kai Tiaki editors

May 1, 2021

NZNO was “very disappointed” at comments made about nurses by midwifery leaders, reported in an April 14 Stuff article (Safety concerns as nurses fill in for midwives), acting manager, nursing and professional services, Kate Weston said.

May 2021 vol 27 no 4

Pay freeze ‘unpleasant bolt from blue’

By Kai Tiaki editors

May 1, 2021

An extended pay freeze across the public sector for staff earning more than $60,000 was disrespectful to nurses and “the entire public sector”, says NZNO lead advocate David Wait.

May 2021 vol 27 no 4

NZNO in talks with DHBs over life-preserving services

By Kai Tiaki editors

May 1, 2021

NZNO is working with district health boards (DHBs) and delegates on contingency plans for patient safety in case a strike by DHB members goes ahead next month.

May 2021 vol 27 no 4

‘Strong’ response in DHB strike ballot

By Kai Tiaki editors

May 1, 2021

NZNO’s district health board (DHB) members have given a “strong” response in an online strike ballot, says lead advocate David Wait.

May 2021 vol 27 no 4

New co-editor: ‘Nothing more important than health’

By Kai Tiaki editors

May 1, 2021

Tēnā koutou, e ngā rangatira, e ngā tāngata manawanui, e ngā kaimahi pai rawa atu i roto i tēnei ao hauora, otirā, i te ao o te roopu nei, NZNO.

May 2021 vol 27 no 4

Nurses will help ‘shape’ reforms: Minister

By Kai Tiaki editors

May 1, 2021

Health Minister Andrew Little has promised nurses will help “shape” profound changes mooted in the Government’s health reforms.

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.