Children And Families The Losers In Hospital Cutbacks

Children and families are the big losers from Starship Hospital's decision to cut back elective surgery because of nursing shortages, says United Future leader, Hon Peter Dunne.

He says the decision to suspend elective surgery for three weeks affects 300 children and will place already stressed families under much greater anxiety.

"Starship is caught in a bind not of its making, although that will be of little consolation to the children and families suffering as a consequence."

"The real issue is the continuing undervaluing of the contribution of the nursing profession."

"There is presently very little incentive for people to enter the nursing profession, with its chronic shortages and constant overwork."

"The real message from Starship's difficulties must be that much greater emphasis has to be placed on making nursing an attractive career option once again."

"Pay rates as well as overall working conditions are important parts of that solution, and must be addressed as a priority."

"We already produce some of the best nurses in the world - it is just a pity we do not recognise that here, and that many of them are forced to become amongst our best exports," Mr Dunne says.

Mr Dunne says that as a "family first" party United Future is strongly committed to child and family health issues being properly researched.

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