The article discusses the ongoing challenges faced by nurses in New Zealand regarding staffing, salary, and working conditions. The Government claims that the average salary for registered nurses (RNs) exceeds $125,000, which is disputed by frontline workers like Al Dietschin from the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO). He argues that only senior nurses could earn this amount, notably through working extra shifts, while many healthcare assistants (HCAs) earn significantly less.
Dietschin highlights chronic understaffing in healthcare settings, noting dangerous conditions due to insufficient RNs during night shifts. Health New Zealand states there’s no reliable method for determining staffing needs, and its tools, including the Care Capacity Demand Management (CCDM) system, are reportedly inadequate. The CCDM has revealed staffing shortages in the past, which some view as a threat to budget standards.
The article emphasizes nurses’ frustrations with government messaging, suggesting it’s misleading and akin to disinformation, while calling for renewed negotiations to address their concerns.
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