36,000 Health NZ nurses to strike for eight hours

Christchurch nurse Debbie Handisides will go on strike on Tuesday to protect future nurses and healthcare, as well as "not lose the gains we've made for nurses and patients in Aotearoa".

"The future of health care sits on nurses' shoulders because we care with our hearts, yet the Government just talks about budget targets saving lives," Handisides told the BBC.

"Yet it's doctors and nurses that save lives, and are the ones that care so much we're fighting by striking for a better-funded health care system to save people's lives."

Handisides is one of 36,000 nurses, midwives, and healthcare assistants on strike from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, following unsuccessful negotiating talks between their union, the NZ Nurses Organisation (NZNO), and Health NZ - Te Whatu Ora.

Hospitals will stay open, but some clinics will be closed, and appointments will be rescheduled, however, Health NZ has not stated how many patients are affected.

Why nurses are striking?

The union expressed its major concern about patient safety since Te Whatu Ora intended to halt a critical component of its safe staffing initiative, known as care capacity demand management (CCDM).

CCDM determines the number and range of skills required based on the severity of the patient's illness and the amount of nursing care needed.

NZNO chief executive Paul Goulter stated that the pause will leave little protection on staffing levels, resulting in fewer healthcare personnel on duty.

"Ultimately, patients will pay the price for hospitals that are continuously understaffed and under-resourced."

Members were also unhappy when Te Whatu Ora stated that their negotiation boundaries were limited to 1% of overall personnel costs, Goulter said.

This would be only 0.5% in the first year because it will not go into force until April of next year, and up to 1% in the second year.

Goulter stated that this would result in a wage loss after accounting for inflation. "Nurses should not have to prop up the health system by taking cuts in pay."

Handisides stated that 1% "won't even meet the household cost of living".

"Why would anyone pick nursing as a career if they can't pay their household bills?"

Tracy Chisholm, a Waikato nurse, stood out because "nurses play an integral part in the NZ health system".

"This government's disrespect for the health of New Zealanders and the nursing community must be addressed.

"How can we give culturally safe treatment without nurses? How can we educate, and avoid deterioration, and additional injury without nurses? How can we achieve the government's health kaupapa without nurses?

What to do when you have an appointment?

Te Whatu Ora's northern region deputy chief executive Mark Shepherd said hospitals and emergency departments will stay open during the strike, and life-saving services will be in place to ensure patients can continue to get care.

"To ensure patient safety, some clinics will close. Please attend your hospital appointment tomorrow, unless we have contacted you personally to reschedule.

"Any appointments that are deferred due to the strike action will be rescheduled for the next available opportunity."