News – Page 6 – Kaitiaki Nursing New Zealand

July 2024

Time to ‘get serious’ as pay equity claim for health’s lowest paid women workers lodged with ERA

By Mary Longmore

June 14, 2024

After two years of limbo, thousands of care and support workers this week lodged a claim for equal pay with the Employment Relations Authority (ERA).

July 2024

Nurses and health advocates honoured in King’s Birthday list

By Kathy Stodart

June 14, 2024

A specialist cancer nurse, a nurse educator and a Māori health advocate are among those honoured in the King’s Birthday list this month.

July 2024

Minister considering mental health nurses’ views after damning NZNO survey

By Mary Longmore

June 14, 2024

Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey says he will consider mental health nurses’ proposals to increase and support their workforce after meeting with NZNO leaders.

June 2024

‘We are sick and tired of being burnt out’ — safe staffing bus tour starts with a sizzle in the far North

By Mary Longmore

June 10, 2024

Nurses in Northland, Nelson and Palmerston North kicked off an 11-day safe staffing bus tour of Aotearoa on Monday with a sizzle in the sunny north — and some drizzle further south.

June 2024

‘We stand in solidarity’: Nurses and kaiāwhina turn out in support of Te Tiriti protests

By Mary Longmore

May 30, 2024

Nurses, kaiāwhina and members of Te Rūnanga o Aotearoa NZNO joined tens of thousands who turned across the motu in support of Toitū Te Tiriti (honour the Treaty) protests aimed to disrupt the Government’s Budget 2024.

June 2024

‘People aren’t on a spreadsheet’ — nurses share pain over latest cut-backs with health leaders

By Mary Longmore

May 30, 2024

A nurse who has quit and another who “literally ran” her entire shift were among those who spoke to Te Whatu Ora leaders face-to-face about latest cost-cutting — one breaking down in tears as she spoke.

June 2024

Financial support for nursing students ‘the way to go’, says new head of Nelson nursing school

By Mary Longmore

May 24, 2024

Lack of financial support is stopping many students realising their dream of becoming a nurse, says the new head of Nelson nursing school.

June 2024

‘It’s bittersweet, but I don’t think I want to nurse here anymore’

By Mary Longmore

May 16, 2024

An Auckland nurse says she is reluctantly giving up on nursing in Aotearoa after burning out just six weeks after coming back to work here.

June 2024

Nurses and kaiāwhina across Aotearoa brave chill winds to call for safer staffing

By Mary Longmore

May 9, 2024

Nurses and kaiāwhina braving brutal near-zero temperatures in some places to speak up for safer staffing received warm support from the public as they rallied across the country today.

May 2024

‘It’s heart-breaking’ — nurses and kaiāwhina to rally across Aotearoa for safe staffing

By Mary Longmore

May 8, 2024

From aged care to mental health, nurses and health-care assistants (HCAs) are rallying around the country tomorrow (May 9) for safer staffing ratios ahead of this month’s Budget 2024.

May 2024

Southern PHO first to get Rainbow Tick for inclusive practice

By Mary Longmore

May 7, 2024

A South Island nurse leader says being the first primary health service to receive a rainbow tick for inclusive practice is a “fantastic” achievement for her workplace.

May 2024

Northland nurse director joins GP call for more funding as practices face closure

By Mary Longmore

May 3, 2024

Primary health nurses will burn out alongside their GP colleagues unless they get enough funding to adequately care for their complex communities, warns a Northland nursing leader.

May 2024

Tough new government health targets could backfire, warn nurses

By Mary Longmore

April 9, 2024

Emergency nurses fear tough new targets for emergency departments (EDs) will put already-stretched staff under more pressure, risking “gaming” of wait time data.

May 2024

Health-care assistant ambitions ‘no threat’ to nurses, says new NZNO group

By Mary Longmore

April 5, 2024

A new group of NZNO health-care assistants/kaiāwhina has big plans for their future — but is reassuring nurses there is no wish to encroach on their role.

May 2024

Faster, fairer pathways for overseas nurses into New Zealand, says Nursing Council

By Mary Longmore

March 28, 2024

Concerns have been raised that newly streamlined pathways for internationally-qualified nurses (IQNs) into Aotearoa, New Zealand skip too lightly over cultural and clinical preparedness.

April 2024

When words fail: Why hasn’t anyone listened to nurses?

By Mary Longmore

March 27, 2024

Collective union action is the only way nurses will achieve safe staffing after years of being ignored, former director of the Safe Staffing Health Workplaces unit (SSHWU) Jane Lawless says.

April 2024

‘If we don’t provide the voice of nursing, who will?’ Under-pressure nurses are determined to be heard

By Mary Longmore

March 22, 2024

Members of NZNO’s professional colleges and sections were called on to “shape the issues” facing health, at an energetic college and section day in Te Whanganui-a-tara, Wellington, this week.

April 2024

Te Aka Whai Ora is gone — but the aims of Māori nurses stay true

By Mary Longmore

March 14, 2024

Amid the ashes of Te Aka Whai Ora, Māori nurses will still be chasing better pay, safer staffing and culturally safe workplaces.

April 2024

Nurse practitioner trainee numbers soar with 50 per cent funding boost

By Mary Longmore

March 8, 2024

Rising confidence amid more supportive pathways are behind a leap in nurses training to become mātanga tapuhi (nurse practitioners) this year, leaders say.

April 2024

South Island nurse prescriber programme going strong as it nears 100 graduates

By Mary Longmore

March 6, 2024

Te Waipounamu (South Island)’s first community nurse prescriber programme is celebrating two years and 52 graduates — and there are no signs of it slowing down, its clinical education lead Nicky Burwood says.

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.