Why aren’t Cantabrians being supported to recover?

Information released under the Official Information Act, showing that four years on from the quakes, Canterbury DHB staff are stressed and overworked, expenditure is at its limit and services are clogged, comes as no surprise to the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO).

NZNO industrial adviser for the DHB sector Lesley Harry says, “What we’re seeing in Canterbury is a population suffering the effects of trauma. And that includes thousands of health workers, who are now running on empty.”

“The Government has an obligation to fund each district health board to provide the health services its population needs. This is clearly not happening in Canterbury.”

“Underfunding means not only will health staff pay with their health and wellbeing, so will the entire community.”

“The Government must stop turning a blind eye to the complex and specific health care needs of Cantabrians. Extra funding must be allocated to ensure the provision of quality healthcare for everybody, when they need it, where they are.” Ms Harry says.

ENDS

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