May 2023 – Kaitiaki Nursing New Zealand

July 2023

Maranga Mai! – Nurses find their political voice

By Cate Macintosh

June 7, 2023

A general election is a golden opportunity for NZNO members to take political action and achieve policy changes. But what does it mean to be politically engaged, aware and active? Kaitiaki spoke to some members who are leading the way.

July 2023

Primary health care will ‘implode’ — eight per cent not enough to stem practice nurse haemorrhage

By Mary Longmore

June 2, 2023

Practice nurses say an eight per cent pay rise is a “step” closer to hospital nurses’ salaries — but does not go nearly far enough.

July 2023

Huge attendance at stop-work meetings, as nurses say offer ‘disrespectful’

By Cate Macintosh and Mary Longmore

June 2, 2023

Nurses, midwives and health workers turned out in huge numbers to off-site stop-work meetings, with many expressing their anger and disgust over Te Whatu Ora’s offer for a new two-year collective agreement.

June 2023

It’s cool to kōrero — May

By Kathy Stodart

May 30, 2023

I tae mai te hukarere, a kua kati te huarahi. — The road is closed because of snow.

Read more... It’s cool to kōrero — May

July 2023

A dream come true – kaupapa Māori kaiāwhina-to-nursing initiative breaks barriers to training

By Cate Macintosh

May 30, 2023

A Māori-led nursing earn-as-you-learn workforce initiative is giving some kaiāwhina (unregulated health workers) the chance to realise a life-long dream to be a nurse.

June 2023

MAY 2023 crossword

By Kathy Stodart

May 29, 2023

Print out the grid (using PRINT tab at the bottom right of this page) and use the clues below. April answers are below the clues.

Hundreds support striking Gisborne nurses after court win

By Mary Longmore

May 24, 2023

A hard-won one-hour strike by 24 Gisborne Hospital ward 5 nurses and health-care assistants (HCAs) this afternoon drew “huge” support, says an emotional nurse who led the fight all the way to the courtoom.

June 2023

Enrolled nurses say new scope statement start of exciting re-set

By Cate Macintosh

May 24, 2023

Enrolled nurses (ENs) say a new practice scope, launched this week, means they will be able to work to their full potential, without having to be under the direction and delegation of registered nurses.

June 2023

‘This is for every other nurse in New Zealand’ — Gisborne ward 5 nurses celebrate right to strike over safety fears

By Mary Longmore

May 24, 2023

Gisborne Hospital ward 5 nurses and health-care assistants are jubilant over winning the right to strike for safer conditions and say it opens the door for other nurses struggling in unsafe conditions to take action.

June 2023

2023 nominations for the election of Nursing Council members are now open

By Warwick Lampp

May 24, 2023

Nominations are now being called for three nurse members to be elected by the nursing profession to the Nursing Council board. Elected members will serve for a period of three years.

June 2023

Phenobarbitone tablets: Brand change for epilepsy medication

By He Ako Hiringa

May 23, 2023

The funded brand of phenobarbitone — a barbiturate used mainly to manage epilepsy — used in this country is about to change. Prescribers need to carefully manage this change-over for patients.

June 2023

‘They’re stabbing us in the back’ — Gisborne Hospital moves to block ward 5 nurses’ strike

By Mary Longmore

May 21, 2023

Gisborne Hospital nurses say they’re not surprised by Te Whatu Ora’s move to try and block their strike with legal action.

June 2023

‘Where’s the plan?’ Student nurses left disappointed by Budget 2023

By Cate Macintosh

May 18, 2023

Nursing students were left bitterly disappointed by Budget 2023, which contained scant specific new initiatives to support them, and grow the nursing workforce.

June 2023

Who are our practices serving? The ‘need profile’ of enrolled patients varies dramatically

By Nicolette Sheridan, Tim Kenealy and Tom Love

May 18, 2023

Where are high-needs patients cared for in general practice? This is the second in a series of articles about a major research project comparing models of general practice in New Zealand.

June 2023

Budget 2023: Bigger investment needed to boost Māori, Pacific nursing

By Cate Macintosh

May 17, 2023

Registered nurse (RN) Jo Fortune, 47, is a passionate advocate for community nursing, and even says she’d encourage her kids to follow in her footsteps – but she hopes Budget 2023 will provide more support for those pursuing the profession.

June 2023

Turning perception into practice: Advocating for cultural safety in health care

By Holly Ann Taylor

May 17, 2023

The journey to complete a master of nursing has served to further ignite Tania Bailey’s passion for reducing health inequities for Māori.

June 2023

Comprehensive guide to mesothelioma

By Jacob Bryant

May 17, 2023

A United States law firm which acts for people exposed to asbestos has produced a thorough guide to mesothelioma.

June 2023

Nurses and hospital staff among survivors of deadly Wellington fire

By Cate Macintosh and Mary Longmore

May 16, 2023

A deadly fire at a Wellington hostel used by migrant nurses and other hospital staff described as a “one in one hundred year” event by Fire and Emergency New Zealand, has killed at least six people with another 11 still unaccounted for.

June 2023

‘We’ve been rolling over too long, we’re not going to do it anymore’ — Gisborne nurses to strike

By Mary Longmore

May 16, 2023

Nursing staff at Gisborne Hospital’s ward 5 feel they have no choice but to take strike action this month, after worsening conditions have left them and patients increasingly unsafe.

May 2023

Maranga Mai! Health and safety — nurses use power of the law for a safer workplace

By Mary Longmore

May 12, 2023

Collective action, determination and courage — that’s all it takes for change. Nurses and caregivers are using health and safety laws to make their workplaces safer, a key part of NZNO’s Maranga Mai! strategy.

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.