In 2009 New Zealand faced an influenza (H1N1 or swine ‘flu) pandemic.  The Ministry of Health led the strategy supported by a pandemic response plan and NZNO implemented its pandemic plan.  Members were understandably concerned and a range of advice was prepared to support members during this time.  This material will be updated in further pandemics but in the interim it provides a sound basis of information and advice for future scenarios. 

Call NZNO on 0800 283848 if you need further advice on your professional and employment issues.

If you are unwell please call your general practitioner or Healthline on 0800 6111116 for advice.

NZNO Advice

Influenza A (H1N1) Quarantine / Isolation Issues - NZNO (Word)

Union Update & Advice June 09 - CTU (Word)

NZNO Advice for RN's June 09 (PDF)

Obligations in a Pandemic or Disaster - NZNO Guidance

A guide for NZNO members, 2008 (PDF)

Understanding duty of care fact sheet (PDF)

What are New Zealand Nurses Organisation members’ responsibilities and accountabilities during a pandemic or disaster? There are no easy answers. This guideline provides members with information on their professional, legal, ethical and employment obligations.  It does not provide directives for action, but rather a framework for informed decision making for NZNO members in New Zealand health care settings.

Patient Care Advice

• World Health Organisation Patient Care Checklist (PDF)
• World Health Organisation Pandemic webpages (link)

• New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Action Plan 2006, v16, September 2006
  This version (16) of the plan was approved by Cabinet on 11 September 2006 and replaces all earlier versions which should now be destroyed:
  http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/nz-influenza-pandemic-action-plan-2006 (link)
• Lancets H1N1 Resource Centre (link)
• Issues of poor infection control (link)

• Factsheet - Quarantine/Isolation at home (PDF)
• Factsheet - What to expect if you have H1N1 Influenza (PDF)
• Factsheet - Frequently Asked Questions on H1N1 (PDF)
• Factsheet - Information for the general public on H1N1 (PDF)

Key Activities of NZNO

NZNO representatives (members and staff) have been involved in pandemic influenza planning with the Ministry of Health (MOH), Department of Labour and the Council of Trade Unions.

Locally District Health Boards and Primary Health Organisations have been developing pandemic preparedness plans. NZNO members should be aware of these plans and have received education on the content of these plans. These plans have been tested by the MOH and further information is available from the theirwebsite.

NZNO Submissions

• NZNO submission made to the Ministy of Health, 15 February 2008 (PDF)
• NZNO submission made to the Ministry of Health,14 July 2006 (PDF)
• NZNO submission made to the Government Administration Committee, 6 June 2006 (PDF)
• NZNO submission made to the State Services Commission, 6 April 2006 (PDF)
• NZNO submission made to the Ministry of Health,20 January 2006 (PDF)

Resources

• Global Action Urged 31 August 2009, ICN Media statement (PDF)
• CDC: 10 Steps You Can Take:
  Actions for Novel H1N1 Influenza Planning and Response for Medical Offices and Outpatient Facilities (link)
• Ministry of Health newsletters on Exercise Makgill and Exercise Cruickshank (link)
• NZNO Library Resource Guide (link)
• Getting Through Together: Ethical values for a pandemic (link)
• National Ethics Advisory Committee – Kahui Matatika o te Motu (NEAC) has completed its work on ethical values for a pandemic  (PDF)

Links

• MOH Swine Flu Updates

• MOH Pandemic Plan

• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance

• Victorian Department of Health

• Department of Labour Pandemic Planning Information - Health and Safety for employers and employees:
  http://www.dol.govt.nz/initiatives/workplace/pandemic/index.asp

• National Ethics Advisory Committee/ Kahui Matatika o te Motu:
  http://www.neac.health.govt.nz/
• Civil Defence 'Get Through' Campaign - this website will show you how to survive a disaster:
  http://www.getthru.govt.nz/
• Ministry of Health: 
  http://www.moh.govt.nz/pandemicinfluenza
• Ministry of Health - Latest Updates: 
  http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/pandemicinfluenza-updates
• Ministry of Health - Guidelines and Advice: 
  http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/pandemicinfluenza-guidelines
• Pandemic influenza - Information for the health sector, Pandemic influenza - Resources for primary health care workers, Infection Prevention and Control during an Influenza Pandemic: 
  http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/emergency-management/pandemic-planning-and-response/pandemic-influenza-guidance-health-sector