Media release 5 July 2018
NZNO is encouraging its members to participate in the Health Quality and Safety Commission’s mental health workforce
safety survey – Nga Poutama Oranga Hinengaro that will be available at the end of next month.
Mental health nurses make up nearly half the mental health and addiction sector workforce. And the complexity of mental
health and addictions issues, and the over representation of Māori in need of mental health services are factors that
mean the sector requires a well-supported nursing workforce in order to deliver high quality mental health care.
Chair of the NZNO mental health section Helen Garrick, says that the combination of a decade of underfunding, growing
demand and increasing complexity of need means the workforce is at ‘breaking point’ and these factors are combining to
staff feeling increasingly unsafe.
“Our recent survey of members found main concerns were high caseloads, low staffing levels, inadequate community and
inpatient services and insufficient inpatient beds,” Ms Garrick said.
“We also call for the working environment and overall environment for inpatients to be better suited to modern-day needs
and believe this will make the environment safer for all.
“The workplace nurses are coming into is too often unsafe. Over 71% of survey respondents report feeling unsafe at work
this survey will be a good way to examine this further,” she said.
Staff working for a district health board, non-government organisation and primary care mental health services across
the country will be invited to complete the survey during August 2018 and it can be done anonymously.
ENDS.