News – Page 6 – Kaitiaki Nursing New Zealand

January 2024

‘I’m here to listen’ — new Minister of Health opens doors to NZNO nurse leaders for ongoing kōrero

By Mary Longmore

December 12, 2023

After a recent late night kōrero with new Minister of Health Shane Reti, NZNO — Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa leaders have described him as “warm” and committed to Māori and rebuilding a homegrown nursing workforce.

January 2024

Nurses, health workers stand up against ‘incomprehensible’ Smokefree rollback

By Mary Longmore

December 8, 2023

Nurses and NZNO — Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa are joining a wave of outrage and protest from health, iwi and community organisations over the Government’s shock decision to repeal world-first smokefree laws.

January 2024

Late-in-life nurse wins award for changing patients’ home lives

By Ann Packer

December 7, 2023

A Lower Hutt nurse has received the 2023 nurse investigator award from the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ) for her research into how nurses can improve patients’ social, economic and physical environments.

January 2024

‘Listen to us — keep us safe’: Nurses nationwide call for funding from new Government over nursing crisis

By Mary Longmore

December 1, 2023

Te Whatu Ora nurses have described gruelling workplaces, rife with burnout, violence and unsafe staffing levels, as they turn out across the country to demand more investment in their workforce.

December 2023

Whakarongorau’s telehealth nurses finally settle pay deal

By Mary Longmore

November 22, 2023

After eight months of negotiations, two strikes, nationwide rallies and mediation, frontline nurses have finally voted to accept a new offer from national telehealth service Whakarongorau — calling off two looming strikes.

December 2023

Prioritise nursing workforce — Te Whatu Ora union meetings will send strong message to new Government

By Mary Longmore

November 20, 2023

As health budgets are being set, now is the time for Te Whatu Ora nurses, kaiāwhina and other workers to turn out and be heard by the new Government, say NZNO-Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa members.

November 2023

Nurses celebrate 50 years of tertiary education — but fear for its future

By Mary Longmore

November 3, 2023

New Zealand nurses are celebrating 50 years since nurse training began moving out of hospitals and into the education sector — but warn tertiary funding pressures and a pay gap of up to $40,000 for lecturers are putting the future of nursing education at risk.

November 2023

‘Shining star’ Bernie wins most outstanding kaiāwhina award

By Mary Longmore

November 2, 2023

A long-time health-care assistant (HCA), described as a “shining star” by colleagues, has won the “most outstanding” kaiāwhina award at a new Manawatū event which throws a spotlight on caregivers.

November 2023

Emergency nurse ‘flow bros’ finally win back pay

By Mary Longmore

October 20, 2023

After a three-and-a-half year battle, 18 Wellington nurses are celebrating winning hundreds of thousands of dollars in back pay after their role as patient flow coordinators at Wellington Hospital emergency department (ED) was underpaid for 13 years.

November 2023

‘Without us, there’s nothing’ — more strikes considered by telehealth nurses

By Mary Longmore

October 19, 2023

Telehealth nurses from crisis services like Healthline, ambulance triaging and 111 mental health response are considering two more strikes after rejecting the latest pay offer from employer Whakarongorau, which they say doesn’t reflect their value.

October 2023

Election 2023: Voting ‘paramount’ for nurses, health workers

By Mary Longmore

October 12, 2023

Nurses and health workers are urging all health professionals to get out and vote in this Saturday’s general election.

November 2023

‘I won’t be silenced’ — Gisborne Hospital nurse whistleblower fears she is a target after disciplinary attempt

By Mary Longmore

October 9, 2023

Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa–NZNO is taking legal action to support Gisborne Hospital ward 5 nurse Christine Warrander after hospital managers threatened her with disciplinary action over a social media post.

October 2023

Election 2023: Nurses take the political pulse

By NZNO research and campaigns staff

September 29, 2023

We bring you Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki Aotearoa – NZNO’s election scorecard, where nurses run an eye over political parties’ health policies ahead of the October 14 general election.

October 2023

‘I found myself drowning’ — the challenges for Māori working in the health system

By Mary Longmore

September 28, 2023

A panel of Māori nurses shared their experiences of “werohia ngā ture” — challenging the system and being “unapologetically Māori” at NZNO’s 2023 conference.

October 2023

Call to unite, prepare for looming political threats to health system and unions

By Mary Longmore

September 27, 2023

‘Disrespect us at your peril’ — nurses and NZNO urged to fight racism and protect a health system for all.

October 2023

Minister’s diagnosis: Health system ‘in recovery’ but risk of relapse high without enough funding

By Mary Longmore

September 26, 2023

In recovery — but facing relapse with any reversal of funding, was Minister of Health Ayesha Verrall’s “diagnosis” of the health system, at the recent Tōpūtanga Tapuhi o Kaitiaki Aotearoa — NZNO annual general meeting (AGM).

October 2023

Pasifika young nurse of the year draws on his own ‘tough’ experiences in sexual health work

By Mary Longmore

September 22, 2023

Tōpūtanga Tapuhi o Kaitiaki Aotearoa — NZNO’s young nurse of the year John Fa’ukafa says the “tough” times he endured as a young Pasifika male coming out as gay made him the nurse he is today.

September 2023

Healthline and telehealth nurses to strike over pay ‘cut’ from profitable bosses

By Mary Longmore

September 8, 2023

Nurses who take calls around the clock from some of our most vulnerable have voted to go on a 24-hour strike next week, after an offer they describe as an effective pay cut.

September 2023

Nurses turn out for striking senior doctors

By Mary Longmore

September 6, 2023

‘Here come the nurses!’ was the appreciative cry from senior doctors striking outside Wellington Hospital yesterday as Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa — NZNO members spilled off the Newtown bus and took their place on the picket line beside their colleagues.

September 2023

Axing Auckland nursing degree ‘short-sighted’ in the face of nursing shortfall

By Mary Longmore

September 6, 2023

Axing Massey’s Auckland nursing degree is ‘short-sighted’, say critics — but students describe a challenging learning environment.

Uncut – news briefs

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.
31 Oct	General practices welcome fast-track approvals process A new fast-track approval process is a good start, but more is needed to fix New Zealand’s chronic GP shortage, says the General Practice Owners Association (GenPro)
24 Oct	International Council of Nurses Bucharest Declaration priorities for the future of nursing The International Council of Nurses (ICN) marked the 125 years since its founding in 1899 with an anniversary conference held in Bucharest, Romania and hosted by the Order of Nurses, Midwives, and Medical Assistants of Romania.
10 Oct	Call to immunise now as New Zealand at high risk of whooping cough outbreak Pregnant people, babies, children and others at high risk from whooping cough are urged to get vaccinated as soon as possible, as Aotearoa New Zealand stands at high risk of an outbreak.
9 Oct	New pilot with Plunket to deliver childhood immunisations To increase access and boost immunisation rates, Health New Zealand \| Te Whatu Ora and Whānau Āwhina Plunket will pilot the delivery of childhood immunisations at a select number of sites across the country.
8 Oct	Health NZ Begins Development of National Perinatal Bereavement Care Pathway As Baby Loss Awareness Week shines a light on the heartbreak faced by many, Health NZ is taking a compassionate and hopeful step forward in transforming the support available for whānau who experience the loss of a baby.
7 Oct	Govt takes the scalpel to regional health budgets At Labour’s insistence, Te Whatu Ora financial documents have been released by the Health Select Committee today showing more cuts are on the way for our health system.
2 Oct	Orion Health and Streamliners form strategic partnership Orion Health, a global leader in digital health solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Streamliners, creators of HealthPathways which provides an online manual used to assist with clinical assessments.
1 Oct	Rollout of new medicines across New Zealand begins Today marks the first day a range of new medicines, including cancer medicines, will start to become available in hospitals and health centres across the country.
27 Sept	New Dunedin hospital: Southerners deserve better The Government’s announcement today that it will scale back the new Dunedin hospital will negatively impact patient care, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki O Aotearoa says.
26 Sept	Govt not addressing health workforce crisis The National Government is hiding the gaps in the health workforce from New Zealanders, by not producing a full workforce plan nearly a year into their tenure.
25 Sept	New programme offers step up for jobseekers seeking a career in health and wellbeing Local jobseekers have an exciting new opportunity to begin a career in Health following the launch of a new community-based kaiāwhina programme in the Hutt Valley.
23 Sept	Ministers oblivious to cuts’ effect on families The National Government is oblivious to the impact cuts to services will have on New Zealanders who are doing the hard yards caring for mentally ill family members.
19 Sept	Wānaka community to benefit from new overnight health service Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says an Overnight Acute Care Service opening in October will provide people in Wānaka and the surrounding area with the assurance of quality overnight care closer to home.
17 Sept	Dr Le Heron takes title of 2024 Alzheimers NZ Fellow Distinguished neurologist and cognitive neuroscientist, Dr Campbell Le Heron, has been made the 2024 Alzheimers NZ Fellow for his work researching and managing cognitive disorders.
11 Sept	Aged care will be worse off if redesign rushed New Zealanders needing aged care support and the people who care for them will be worse off if the Government pushes through a flawed and rushed redesign of dementia and aged care.
11 Sept	Govt takes action on mpox response, widens access to vaccine The Government is taking immediate action on a number of steps around New Zealand’s response to mpox, including improving access to vaccine availability so people who need it can do so more easily, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today.
10 Sept	ICN launches new position statement and discussion paper setting out a revolution in the delivery of Primary Health Care The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is launching its new position statement and a discussion paper on Primary Health Care (PHC) at its Nurse Practitioner/Advanced Practice Nursing Network (NP/APN Network) Conference in Aberdeen, Scotland.
9 Sept	First cancer medicine decision following Pharmac funding boost Pharmac has decided to widen access to two medicines for several types of cancer. Pembrolizumab (branded as Keytruda) will be funded from 1 October 2024 for eligible people with advanced triple-negative breast cancer, head and neck cancer, colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, and Hodgkin lymphoma. Nivolumab (branded as Opdivo) will be funded from 1 November for eligible people with kidney cancer.
6 Sept	Health agencies working with Police on rebalancing roles for mental health responses Health New Zealand \| Te Whatu Ora and the Ministry of Health - Manatū Hauora are working with Police to change some of the ways agencies respond to mental health. The change will see an increased health-led response, supporting Police to focus on core Policing.
4 Sept	Nurses’ bargaining starts with action for safe staffing Nurses are kicking off their collective bargaining with Te Whatu Ora by taking action for safe staffing on Friday, New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) says.