A large turnout is expected for the NZNO rally in the capital at the Wellington Hospital at 2pm tomorrow, Friday 13
April. Rallies are also happening today in Whangārei, Christchurch and Dunedin.
Capital and Coast DHB nurses, midwives and health care assistants are rallying together to bring to the attention of the
public their dissatisfaction about the government’s under investment into quality patient care, nurses pay and safe
staffing.
NZNO delegate Freya Head said:
“A decade of severe underfunding of our public hospitals has taken its toll on everyone and I feel nurses wear the brunt
of this in their working environment and everyday lives.”
“So yes all of this can’t be fixed immediately with a money tree but we do think a better offer can be achieved. We have
waited for a long time for a pay boost, as have others, but we cannot wait any longer, we need it now,” she said.
NZNO President Grant Brookes will be at the rally and says he is constantly hearing stories about double shifts and
fatigue affecting the nursing team morale.
“We are rallying to highlight the need for a solution to staffing shortages in a health system crisis,” he said.
NZNO campaign activities are planned throughout New Zealand to show the government that New Zealanders need it to
prioritise rebuilding a quality public health system by investing in nursing, the largest health workforce.