Thursday’s hui — organised by NZNO and local Te Atatū MP Phil Twyford — was called in response to concerns over staffing levels at Waitākere Hospital, particularly in its older persons and rehabilitation ward, Muriwai.
It also follows news that just 11 of 30 beds promised by Labour in 2021 would be delivered by the current Government, which was now planning a staged approach, “over time”.
‘But times have changed — the Waitākere way has gone.’
NZNO delegate Neil Warrington — who has worked Waitākere Hospital for 23 years – said the news was a let down and meant patients would likely continue to be cared for in corridors.
He told the meeting that on his ward, Muriwai — an older adult rehabilitation ward — constant short staffing was “incredibly demoralising” and, often, dangerous for patients.
“Not having enough time to spend with patients often means they are more at risk of falling and sometimes this leads to serious harm.”
Last month, a Muriwai patient fell and fractured his spine after nurses had warned managers they were severely short of health-care assistants (HCAs).
Warrington said when he started out, the “Waitākere way” meant patient-centred care and time for nurses to talk to patients and find out what they needed to recover.
“But times have changed — the Waitākere way has gone,” he said.
“Almost every shift starts with finding out we are short-staffed. Staff are leaving and not being replaced meaning that we are having to pick up extra shifts to support our colleagues.”
Staff were rushed, medication, procedures and basic care were often late and patients were left in wet beds.
“Sometimes an anxious or distressed patient needs a nurse to sit with them and hold their hand and just talk – the human touch,” he said — however this was not usually possible.
Another Muriwai ward nurse and NZNO delegate, Gemma Bethell, told the hui that rehabilitation took time and patience — yet staff were constantly rushed.
“One of the hardest parts of my job is knowing what my patients need but not always having enough time to provide it.”
Despite constant back pain from lifting patients without enough help, Bethell said she still loved being a nurse — but good will could only go so far.
NZNO delegate Michael Brenndorfer, who MC’ed the event, said it felt like nurses were under attack.
“Every step of the way it’s felt like this Government hates nurses and is attacking nurses every day.”
Twyford said on social media it was a “great crowd of Westies” who turned out to demand an end to under-staffing at Waitākere Hospital.
“Our hospital needs more nurses, more health workers, more beds.”
Muriwai ward staff last month went on an hour-long strike last month over unsafe staffing levels — calling for just one more nurse on morning shift, one more on night and one more HCA in the afternoon.
HNZ response: ‘Seasonal pressure’
HNZ’s Waitematā group director of operations Brad Healey said health services across the country were under pressure due to seasonal illnesses — which also contributed to staff absences.
“To strengthen workforce capacity on the Muriwai ward we are recruiting for five health-care assistant positions, along with a range of other roles.”
HNZ had a long-term workforce strategy in place and was recruiting across a number of services including the emergency department and surgical short stay unit. “We are looking forward to opening Karekare ward this year, supported by the recruitment of approximately 15 additional full-time equivalent staff.”
This would increase bed capacity and patient flow across the hospital, he said.