Nursing reports

Media release                                                                     23 November 2017

Kiwis need DHBs to reduce carbon footprint

NZNO president Grant Brookes, in support of the Sustainable Healthcare in Aotearoa NZ forum starting tomorrow, says that nurses are strongly behind the call to the newly elected government to assess and monitor DHBs’ steps to reduce their carbon footprint and address climate change.

We would like to see the necessary first steps happening, including a requirement for all District Health Boards to measure, report and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions,” he said.

“There are many compelling reasons for DHBs’ to reduce greenhouse gas emissions including cost savings, population health and health equity gains, healthcare quality improvement and reducing the health impacts of climate change globally.

“The connection between climate change and health is all-encompassing. It has been one of the top three priorities of the World Health Organisation for several years.

“Action on climate change almost invariably benefits health with lower carbon emissions improving air quality and reducing respiratory disease, energy efficient heating lowering energy bills which helps reduce poverty. Walking and cycling is pollution free and improves fitness, reduces risk of heart disease, obesity, and diabetes,” Grant Brookes said.

NZNO is a signatory to the NZ Climate and Health Council call for:

1. The Ministry of Health to set greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets for DHBs in line with commitments under the Paris Agreement.
2. The Ministry of Health to mandate all DHBs to measure, manage, and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the ISO 14064 standard.
3. DHBs to report progress towards greenhouse gas emissions reduction to the Ministry of Health annually.

http://www.orataiao.org.nz/dhb_open_letter

NZNO Senior Policy Analyst Marilyn Head is attending the forum tomorrow at the School of Medicine Small Lecture Theatre, 23 Mein St, Newtown, Wellington.

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Media Enquiries: Media adviser Karen Coltman 027 431 2617.

Media release                                                         7 November 2017

Two more months at home can help establish breast feeding

NZNO welcomes the increase in paid parental leave and points out that breast feeding for the first six months of life, as recommended by the world health organisation (WHO), is a better start for babies. Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says extending paid parental leave from 18 weeks to 22 weeks next year and onto 26 weeks in 2020 is the right move.

NZNO is a long-time supporter of extending paid parental leave, because nurses and midwives understand the huge impact family bonding has on a child’s health.
 
“Vulnerable mums, especially single mums should be able to return to work when they are ready and this extension gives them a little more time without extra money worries. The bond with baby is so vital and it is a government’s duty to support that,” Ms Nuku said.
 
“What these babies need is for their parents to have the time and resources to give their tamariki the best start in life."

“Businesses benefit by keeping loyal and trained staff and society benefits as a whole by helping to support New Zealand families into the future.

“We would also like to see the barrier of having to be working an average of 10 hours a week to access the leave removed, so that all those in work can have the benefits of paid parental leave and have more time with baby,” Kerri Nuku said.

Media Release                                                            1 November 2017

NZNO welcome Minister for Women’s decision

NZNO applauds the first big move by Minister for Women, Julie Anne Genter to stop the current Employment (Pay Equity and Equal Pay) Bill in its current form and to refer back to the recommendations of the pay equity working group for a redraft.

Industrial Service Manager Cee Payne says the Bill was a step backwards and disheartening after such great progress was made following the Kristine Bartlett Equal Pay Case.

“The flawed Bill put the onus on women to prove inequity and introduced extra barriers for women to be paid fairly for their work. Thousands of working women will be relieved to see it thrown out,” said Cee Payne.

“The Bill gave no opportunity for outstanding pay equity claims to be assessed the same way as Kristine Bartlett’s was. Nurses haven’t established the best pay equity comparison for them yet but the original Bill was off the mark as nurses deserve to establish this without having to jump through hoops.

 “It was deeply unfair to introduce a new law that makes it harder for women to achieve pay equity,” she said.

 "The previous equal pay legislation, which passed its first reading  with a one vote majority, would have created unnecessary hurdles for women seeking equal pay.

"New Zealanders deserve law that upholds their right to take equal pay claims in the most efficient and least costly way. The struggle by Kristine Bartlett for the right for women to have equal pay, needs to be honoured by ensuring we have the best legislation possible,” said Cee Payne.

ENDS.

Media Release                             25 October 2017

NZNO ready to meet with new Health Minister

Acting chief executive Jane MacGeorge congratulates Dr David Clark on his appointment as Minister of Health and says he shows good understanding of social determinants of health such as poverty, social environments and housing quality. 

NZNO’s leaders are planning to meet with the minister soon to discuss building a more sustainable nursing workforce and, the need for nurses to be consulted and included on policy matters that involve nursing and health.

“We are pleased to see the new ministerial portfolios have a strong emphasis on ending child poverty and commend the incoming prime minister’s stance on taking this serious matter on herself as a new minister,” Jane MacGeorge said.

“Dr David Clark has committed the new government to put back the $2billion missing in the health spend and both the new deputy prime minister and the prime minster have signed the NZNO open letter calling on the previous government to increase the health spend.

“The health spend freeze of the last few years has had a negative impact on the nursing workforce because of the strain of covering during staff shortages and the subsequent inability for nurses to take time away from work for professional development. This has meant many are unsatisfied with the care they can provide to patients and the restraints on ways to further their career development.

“We want to see more Māori nurses attracted into nursing and more nurses going into mental health, we also want our more senior experienced nurses to stay in nursing and for employers to accommodate their needs to keep them in the profession.

“We commend New Zealand First on the coalition agreement that includes commitment to annual free health checks for seniors and free doctor’s visits for under 14s,” Jane MacGeorge said.

Media enquiries: Karen Coltman (temporary number today is 021 574 156.

Media Release 20 October 2017 - New Govt - two months to Christmas

New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) acting Chief Executive Jane MacGeorge says nurses welcome the new government and are looking forward to a reversal of the 2017 ‘scrooge health budget’ and the $2B going back into health.

Jane MacGeorge today says health was the number one election issue and a clear ‘shout out’ to those standing to represent the public and run the country. NZNO is pleased with many of the Labour Party initiatives promised such as nurses in schools, more money for delivery of primary health care for mental health and reduced fees for doctor’s visits. The 48,000 strong membership have also clearly seen the negative effects of poor housing on the health of children.

“It is only six months until this government delivers its first budget and we are looking forward to a proper funding correction to the health budget after years of funding stagnation,” Jane MacGeorge said.

“The underfunding of our health services has led several DHBs to cut costs, resulting in fewer nurses being available to ensure safe staffing levels and practice and cut backs in expenditure on basic healthcare tools.

“Many nurses we have surveyed said they believe this cost-cutting is affecting the pace of recovery of their patients.

“Underfunding ripples across the system, for example, limiting the time nurses have to support new graduates, attract and retain senior staff, take up new training and has a negative impact on job satisfaction and workplace relations.

“Many DHBs now report no more savings are to be found. There is no more room to cut nurse staffing numbers to save more costs. As state sector employers DHBs know they can’t continue to run their staff ragged, and not take care of their staff well-being,” Jane MacGeorge said.

NZNO will present its briefing to the incoming minister in due course and also  hand over to the new Minister of Health 6000 signed Shout Out for Health letters from members and the public shouting out for greater public investment in the health care.

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Media enquiries: Karen Coltman 027 431 2617.

Media Release 10 October 2017 - NZNO mourn their kuia Vera Morgan (MBE)

Several representatives of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation were this morning at the tangi beginning at the Pipitea marae in Thorndon to welcome Vera Morgan back onto to the marae after her passing.

Vera Morgan began her involvement with NZNO 17 years ago. She was invited into the NZNO whānau by the then Te Rūnanga Chair, Sharon Morunga. During her time with NZNO she worked alongside Rev Leo Te Kira as they both developed the NZNO Philosophy – “Me haeretahi tātou mō te hauora me te oranga o ngā iwi katoa o Aotearoa: let us journey together for the health and wellbeing of the people of Aotearoa”

NZNO Kaiwhakahaera Kerri Nuku:  “Mai ra e te Rangatira o Waima, haere atu ra ki Hawaiki nui, Hawaiki roa, Hawaiki pamamao.”

“We join with other groups paying their respects to this dynamic, staunch, well known and inspiring kuia, we were honoured to have her with us for 17 years,” Kerri Nuku said.

“We send our condolences to her remaining children and whānau and thank them for sharing their beloved mother with the whole Wellington Community, and in particular the New Zealand nurses.

“Aunty Vera believed in the strength of community in action and always reminded us to walk our talk at all times,” she said.

‘Aunty Vera’ came to Wellington from the Hokianga at age 18 years where she joined the Ngāti Pōneke Young Māori Club.  In 1978 she received a Queen's Service Medal and in 1998 she became a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. She has held leadership roles with the Māori Women's Welfare League and was a formative leader of the annual NZNO Matariki celebrations. In 2006 she was awarded the NZNO Te Rūnanga Akenei Hei Memorial Award. This award was established to mark 100 years of nursing registration in New Zealand.

E kore au e ngaro; he kākano i ruia mai i Rangiātea.

Aroha mai, aroha atu

Kia mau koe ki ngā kupu o ou tupuna

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Media release 28 September 2017 - Children and youth living in squalor a national shame

NZNO is very concerned by anecdotal reports covered in the New Zealand Herald on Friday 22 September, from a midwife who bravely shared her distress about housing poverty and resulting infant and child illness and unwanted pregnancy as the result of incest. Other midwives and nurses have said her reports are familiar.

Associate Professional Services Manager, Hilary Graham-Smith says this shame is the impact of poor housing and poverty and, limited access to good health care.

“It is well documented that poor housing takes its toll on the health of children. Preventable diseases such as skin infections, rickets and respiratory diseases should not be a feature for any child growing up in Aotearoa, Hilary Graham-Smith said.

“Incest, resulting in mental and physical trauma and unwanted pregnancies for young women, is an indictment on the conditions in which some people live because of poverty that is leading to unwanted bed sharing, substance abuse and inadequate accommodation.

“We are speaking out in support of this midwife to let New Zealanders know the mental health and general health risks when people live in cars and garages and in squalor and call on the next government to urgently turn this shame around.

 “We agree with and support Women's Health Action maternal and child health manager, Isis McKay that it is important for health professionals to speak out and highlight these terrible situations and the physical and mental health effect on children.

“The new government must get people out of living in cars and damp garages and ensure tamariki are physically and sexually safe. This is not a 100 day aim, this is now, immediately,” Hilary Graham-Smith said.

ENDS.

Media enquiries: media adviser Karen Coltman 027 431 2617.

Media Release 22 September 2017 - NZNO Award – Services to Nursing and Midwifery 2017

This year there are two recipients of the NZNO Services to Nursing and Midwifery Award. Dr Helen Snell and Pepe Sinclair. NZNO President Grant Brookes presented the awards at the Annual Conference at Te Papa this week.

Dr Helen Snell has had a long and distinguished career as a registered nurse and nurse practitioner. She is a strong advocate for diabetes nurses and online learning programmes for primary health care nurses.

“Dr Helen Snell was New Zealand’s first nurse practitioner diabetes and related conditions. Her contribution to nursing knowledge of diabetes is very significant and she was a crucial lead for Health Workforce NZ diabetes workforce review. She was instrumental in the launch of e-learning diabetes programme for health professionals,” Grant Brookes says.

Pepe Sinclair has worked for many years as a mental health nurse, has been involved in national and international research on mental health, wellbeing and nursing workloads.

“She is lecturer and a passionate advocate for better health outcomes for Pacific people. This award goes to a mother, grandmother and great grandmother born in Rakahanga Cook Islands,” Grant Brookes said.

“A warm congratulations to Pepe Sinclair and Dr Helen Snell.”

Media Release 20 September 2017, Embargo: 8pm - NZNO Young Nurse of the Year 2017

The 2017 Young Nurse of the Year was announced at last night’s NZNO Annual Conference dinner at Te Papa and went to Jess Tiplady, Nurse Practitioner from Auckland.  Jess Tiplady works at the Greenstone Family Clinic, Auckland.

NZNO kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku, presenting the award, said Jess Tiplady is of Māori descent and is currently the youngest Māori nurse to have achieved nurse practitioner status in New Zealand.

Jess Tiplady works in primary care and provides eczema and asthma clinics, which are free for children under 13 years of age.

“This year’s award winner is a great example of a nurse making a positive contribution to health outcomes for New Zealand children living in poverty,” Kerri Nuku said. 

“The impact on families living in overcrowded houses with the associated infection, itch and discomfort of eczema, loss of sleep and potential for hospitalisation is significant. Ms Tiplady has contributed to the development of a regional skin infection management programme and supports initiatives to improve child health outcomes including breast feeding and immunisation rates.

“Her work has also led to a reduction of admissions to hospital for children with respiratory and skin infections in South Auckland,” Kerri Nuku said.

The purpose and criteria for the Young Nurse of the Award is to recognise and celebrate the often exemplary work of nurses in the younger age group and to encourage younger nurses to demonstrate their commitment to the nursing profession. The nurse shows compassion or courage beyond what is expected in their role as a nurse and has improved care or health outcomes for their patients through their commitment to care, leadership, research or quality.

“I also warmly congratulate runner up Dana Smith from Dunedin Hospital general surgery. She was nominated by her colleagues for her work in the community with children with Crohns disease including volunteering at their annual camps,” Kerri Nuku said.

The judging panel consisted of: Representative from Otago University (Young Nurse of the Year Award sponsor), previous year’s award winner/s, Chief Nurse or representative, Ministry of Health NZNO President, NZNO Kaiwhakahaere.

Media Release

Wednesday, 20 September 2017

NZNO Award of Honour 2017

At last night’s Annual Conference Awards Dinner, the NZNO Award of Honour was presented. The award is granted biennially. The nomination for Kerri Nuku met the criteria for the award. Ms Nuku was presented with the award of honour last night by NZNO President Grant Brookes.

Grant Brookes pointed out that since the constitutional change to the Kaiwhakahaere role came into effect in 2013 Kerri Nuku has undertaken and developed the co-leadership role. 

“She has taken NZNO on a journey towards a greater understanding of the bicultural partnership, the importance of tikanga and preserving the mana of all members,” Grant Brookes said.

“Kerri Nuku’s work on an international level for indigenous nurses in particular and her submissions to parliament on a number of issues have really had an impact,” Grant Brookes said when he presenting the award.
 

“In her role as Kaiwhakahaere for Te Rūnanga within NZNO, last month Kerri led a hikoi in Auckland to call out to the Government to bring about pay equity for Māori nurses in iwi health provider settings. This was a proud moment for Te Rūnanga in particular.
 

 “Her dedication to NZNO regionally, nationally, internationally, and in particular to the needs and aspiration of Maori workforce has earned the admiration and respect of members throughout the organisation and I warmly congratulate her on the award of honour,” Grant Brookes said.