Health NZ Admits It Can't Afford to Employ All Nurses Wanting Work
Health NZ Admits It Can't Afford to Employ All Nurses Wanting Work
Health NZ has confirmed that despite a surplus of qualified nurses eager to take up positions in the public hospital system, the agency is unable to afford to hire all of them. This admission has sparked frustration among nursing students and recent graduates, who feel they are being 'failed' by the health sector.
According to Health NZ figures, only 323 out of 722 applicants have been employed through its Advanced Choice of Employment Mid-Year matching process. This means that just 45% of mid-year graduates have found work with the public health system, a significant drop from previous years when the hiring rate was in the 80-90% range.
Amid this challenge, more than 36,000 nurses, midwives, and healthcare assistants are preparing to strike for 24 hours starting at 9 a.m. The strike is not only about pay but also about addressing what they describe as chronic staff shortages. The nurses argue that these shortages are putting patients at risk and placing excessive pressure on existing staff.
Health NZ's acting clinical director, Dame Helen Stokes-Lampard, acknowledged the financial constraints facing the organization. In a statement to Morning Report, she said, “We're all in a fiscally constrained environment. Health NZ is fortunate at the moment we have plenty of nurses ready to work with us and we are keen to employ them where we can.”
Stokes-Lampard emphasized that safe staffing is not just about the number of nurses but involves a broader consideration of all professionals involved in patient care. “Safe staffing involves not just nurse numbers but is a process looking at every profession delivering care,” she said.
Despite these challenges, Health NZ remains committed to doing what it can with the resources available. However, the gap between the number of nurses willing to work and the number of positions available has left many feeling ignored and undervalued.
One nursing student described the situation as being “blindsided” by the current hiring practices, highlighting the stark contrast between the past and present. “Health NZ used to hire 80-90 percent of all graduates,” the student said, adding that the current rate of 45% is far below what is needed to meet the demands of the healthcare system.
The strike, which is set to begin on Wednesday, has been described by some nurses as a necessary step to draw attention to the systemic issues within the health sector. They argue that without meaningful changes, the situation will continue to deteriorate, leading to even greater strain on the healthcare system and patient safety.
As the country braces for a day of protest, the focus remains on the need for a more sustainable and equitable approach to staffing and pay in the healthcare sector. The challenge now lies in finding a solution that balances the financial realities of the health system with the urgent need to retain and employ skilled professionals who are ready and willing to work.
