Nursing reports

MEDIA RELEASE                                                3 December 2016

Hawke’s Bay teenagers get on track to healthy adulthood

NZNO congratulates Hawke’s Bay District Health Board for their wisdom in taking a preventative approach to healthcare by offering hundreds of Hawke’s Bay youth zero fees for visits to the doctor.

NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku is a representative on the Māori Relationship Board that supports the pilot scheme of free doctor’s visits for 13 – 17 year olds in areas where the cost of going to the doctor is a barrier to good healthcare. General practices that opt into the programme also sign up to providing a range of youth friendly clinical health services. It is projected to cost about $582,000 over a full financial year.

“There is a worrying gap in childhood and adolescence primary healthcare because of cost becoming a barrier to going to the doctor. This new option of free GP visits goes some way to bridging the gap and will mean our teenagers can take care of their health more easily,” Kerri Nuku said.

“I encourage parents to take their children to the doctor as necessary because not only will their children get great medical suport, their teens will naturally pay more attention to their wellbeing and this will set them up better for adulthood.  

“NZNO is fully behind the push for good community healthcare and keeping people out of hospital and empowered to keep well.

“We would be delighted to see free doctor visits for teens rolled out across New Zealand and adopted by Government as a national fully-funded policy. We will be pressuring the government to fully fund universal free healthcare for teenagers,” Kerri Nuku said.

Ends.

Media enquiries Karen Coltman: 027 431 2617.

Media Release                                                                  24 November 2016

One small step for Caregivers, one giant step for womankind

NZNO commends the New Zealand government for setting an international precedent by today agreeing a pathway for New Zealanders to achieve equal pay between various traditionally male and female jobs.

Over the year, unions have been presenting to government the struggle for equal pay for caregivers, most of whom are women. Historically traditional ‘women’s work’ has been underpaid and undervalued in New Zealand, which not only has been unfair but has caused women to leave their jobs.

“Today’s announcement that government agree that equal pay for women must be achieved and the setting out of the mechanisms to do that is welcome and a big step forward for New Zealand women,” said Industrial Services Manager Cee Payne

“The government agrees that there is a traditional, sexist bias against paying women proper pay for roles that are seen as ‘women’s work’ and it and the unions want this attitude to women workers stamped out.

 “This commitment by government to enable people like Kristine Bartlett to be paid properly for their work means other hard working women won’t be forced to leave their profession as they are now.

 “This is better for business and better for those being cared for. Being in a workplace where you are paid little more than the minimum wage when you are taking care of people’s parents and grandparents hour by hour, is demoralising and demeaning.

NZNO does not however support the government position of a hierarchy of comparators, believing that the most appropriate comparators should be used for each situation.

But says women in all sorts of jobs should now be able to draw on the skills and responsibilities they have in their jobs and compare them to men in similar roles and their union reps. can proactively and legally through the Employment Relations Authority work to close the gender pay gap.

 “These equal pay principles are a victory for women and progressive for all men, women and children who live in a country proud of its gender equality values and forward thinking. The government has finally put their stamp of approval on equal pay principles and this clarifies and strengthens the 1972 Equal Pay Act,” she said.

Ends.

Please find attached the PDF of the Terms of Reference and steps of the review of the cyber incident of Tuesday 1 November.

3 November 2016

 Advice to NZNO Members on how to be safer online

Tips from www.connectsmart.govt.nz  (there is more information on this site)

Password protect all your devices

• Make sure your desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and mobile phones are all secured with different passwords
• Use strong or complex passwords (by including a range of upper and lower case letters, numbers and punctuation), particularly for your email and online banking
• Change these passwords regularly

Secure your computer

• Install adequate firewalls
• Keep your anti-virus software up to date
• Ensure your operating software is up to date
• Ensure that you have information safely backed-up. If disposing of a computer, make sure you have removed all personal data and take steps to clean the hard drive.

Be cautious with emails

• Be suspicious of emails from people you don’t know or that look unusual – it may be spam email with malicious software attached
• Delete any suspicious emails or phishing threats without opening them
• Never reply with further information. Even if the threat isn’t real, replying confirms to the sender that your email address is legitimate, and it will increase the amount of spam you receive
• Do not open any attachments if the source of the message is unknown or suspicious – do not enable macros on documents from an untrustworthy sender
• If you open a spam email or its attachments at work, contact your IT department immediately
• If the source appears to be from a legitimate New Zealand company, we recommend reporting it to your IT or security team so they can identify the threat and warn their customers
• Be suspicious of links directing you to unknown websites. If you are not sure, don’t click on them. Hover over links to check if they are legitimate – and only visit trusted or reputable sites. A secure and authentic website will have two e-security symbols: a closed padlock and https:// in the address bar
• Before giving out your email address online, read the website privacy policy – it will tell you how they will use your personal information.
• Stop and think before signing up to any online services with your work email address – does your work have a policy in place about using your work email? Would it be better to use your personal email?

Be cautious on social media

• Be suspicious of links shared to unknown websites – even if they are from your friends. If you are not sure, don’t click on them. Only visit trusted or reputable sites. A secure and authentic website will have two e-security symbols: a closed padlock and https:// in the address bar
• Limit the amount and type of identity information you share about yourself, friends and family on your online accounts
• Be aware of, and check your privacy settings, on social media sites
• Change your password relatively often and ensure it is secure, with a mixture of capital and lowercase letters, number and symbols.

Also, please look on the netsafe website for information about phishing.

https://www.netsafe.org.nz/phishing/.

To contact us about the release of member email addresses in error please email:

communications@nzno.org.nz.

Media release                                                               18 October 2016               

NZNO join global union movement

By joining Global Nurses United (GNU) NZNO is part of the growing international movement of nurses campaigning for healthcare and human rights, says chief executive Memo Musa.

GNU is dedicated to standing up for the rights of nurses, safe patient care, universal healthcare, and a clean and healthy environment.

“Nurses all over the world have many public health and professional employment matters in common. Joining GNU is a way for New Zealand nurses to bring their knowledge and support to global campaigns,” Memo Musa said.

“Climate change and health, equal public access to universal healthcare, safe staffing and safety of nurses are issues that are being tackled by many of the member countries and are issues for our nurses too.

“Underfunding of public health services is a universal issue for global health unions and a key contributor to negative health equity outcomes.

“GNU campaigns are targeted on many social issues such as poor quality housing and poverty, which affect good health outcomes. We are seeing this impact here and want to see public healthcare funding joined up to social policies focused on wellbeing,” Memo Musa said.

NZNO is running a campaign called Shout out for Health to gain increased public health funding.

GNU member countries are currently: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Greece, Honduras, Ireland, Israel, Kenya, New Zealand, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, United States, Uruguay.

 ENDS.

14 October 2016

NZNO in deep sadness join today with all other CTU affiliates and thousands of people who knew Helen Kelly and the great work she has done for a very long time on behalf of working people in New Zealand.

“She will be missed by us all and in particular some of our top industrial leaders Cee Payne, Glenda Alexander and Carol Beaumont have all worked with her very closely during her time as CTU president,” said NZNO chief executive Memo Musa.

Glenda Alexander says that Helen was a huge draw card for our nurses as she was always there for advice and support and a true inspiration.

“I remember when I first saw her as a young unionist on stage with her knee high red boots and ponytail and knew she was a leader we were going to see more of,” Glenda said.

 “It is so hard for the unions to have lost Peter Conway and Helen Kelly, two totaras that have fallen so close together. They both had different strengths and this loss to workers is very significant.

“Helen Kelly stood up for the rights of others whether male foresters or young male farmers or our nurses working during employment negotiations. She really listened and she really cared and we loved this about her.

 “There will be another Helen and they are there now and we at NZNO will do our best to honour her work and raise other great leaders for New Zealand society to make New Zealand a better and fairer place for everyone,” Glenda Alexander said.

“A totara has fallen and the crash in the forest is reverberating in the union movement. We have one less but we believe there are other seedlings growing strong to make the New Zealand workplace a fair and respectful environment. Rest in Peace Helen,” said Cee Payne and Glenda Alexander.  

Ends

Mental Health Awareness Week 2016

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation says that 20 years on from the Mason Report, it is time for a review of the current mental healthcare model as there are stresses and strains in many different areas and a growing lack of leadership and cohesion.

NZNO President Grant Brookes says that aspects of the background to the 1996 Inquiry into the availability and delivery of acute Mental Health Services in New Zealand, appear to be recurring.

“We are aware of heightened public concern around the state of the mental health community,” Grant Brookes said.

“At the same time, mental health nurses are reporting a lack of vision, including leadership, for mental health. This, combined with inadequate DHB funding and NGO funding, is straining mental health teams across the country and ultimately affecting consumers.

“There is a growing call from service uses, and health professionals for an assessment of whether New Zealand is on the right track to mental wellness.

 “A fall out of the Government’s lack of vision and funding is more nurses are reporting assaults and evidently the retention of experienced staff is low.

“The system is under strain as more people are presenting in a more acute state because waiting lists for rehabilitation and counselling services are increasing. DHB mental health funding is not keeping up with population need.

“NZNO is calling on the Minister of Health to examine the different parts of mental health care so that the concept of ‘one team’ can be realised.

“Next year we reach the end of the government’s 5 year mental health strategy. This is a great opportunity for the Ministry of Health to examine whether the removal of mental health targets has been effective.

“As part of mental health awareness week, we are engaging with the People’s Review of Mental Health,” Grant Brookes said.

ENDS.

16 September 2015

Auckland clinical nurse director Abel Smith was honoured for his service to nursing at an awards ceremony in Wellington last night.

NZNO kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku presented the award, "I can't think of a more worthy recipient for this award. Abel is leading the way for Pacific nurse leaders. His skills and passion make a huge difference to the health of many."

"Abel's roles as a nursing clinician, educator and manager in the health sector have equipped him with a strong grounding to pursue and develop his health and nursing interests. We're looking forward to see Abel's contribution to nursing through policy development, research, management and education."

Since Abel graduated as a registered nurse from the Fiji School of Nursing in 1986 and Bachelor of Nursing at Unitec in Auckland, he has been committed to the promotion and development of nurses, nursing and other health and allied professionals. He is a firm believer that knowledge is power and that the acquisition of knowledge and experience enhances professional practice and impacts positively on the health outcomes of communities.

Enhancing professional growth and development has been a personal mission for him over the last 27 years of his nursing career. He is a committed advocate of Pacific Nurses and Health Professionals achieving academic excellence and realising their full potential in their careers. He is passionate about enhancing and strengthening the Pacific Nursing and Health workforce in New Zealand and the Pacific region and is currently involved with agencies that support this. These include Pasifika Medical Association, the Pacific Health Professional Organisations, the NZNO Pacific Nursing Section and the AUT Nursing Advisory Committee.

He is a founding member and current President of the Fiji Nursing Association (FNA) of NZ. In this role he is committed to developing and promoting good leadership, excellent clinical skills and enhanced knowledge of the FNA (NZ) members and also that of the Pacific Nursing and Health Workforce in New Zealand.

Kerri Nuku says, "We are privileged to have this opportunity to acknowledge Abel's work. His passion and commitment to the continued development of Pacific Nurses and Health Workers will contribute to better health outcomes for Pacific peoples and all New Zealanders."

1 November 2013:

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) believes there is no good reason for Waitemata DHB (WDHB) to move Waitakere Hospital’s Coronary Care Unit to North Shore Hospital.

NZNO organiser Adam Craigie says, “All Auckland patients should be able to access to an appropriately-staffed purpose built cardiac care unit, with high standards of nursing care and support. When the doors at Waitakere Coronary Care Unit close, a large section of the Auckland population will find it much harder to access the specialised coronary care they need, when and where they need it.”

“Although the proposal to close the Coronary Care Unit at Waitakere Hospital is being done under the guise of best evidence and improved service delivery, moving vital health services to the North Shore undermines access to healthcare for Waitakere residents, a community of 275,000 plus people.” 

“Even though the DHB is working towards redeploying staff to other areas and offering redundancy to others, residents in West Auckland will bear the brunt of the loss of their dedicated Coronary Care Unit. Saying they will integrate cardiology patients into a general medical ward goes nowhere near mitigating the loss of a specialised staff and a dedicated unit,’ Craigie says.

“The proposed changes to cardiology services will have a large impact on Waitakere Hospital emergency department and medical emergency response and should not be underestimated.”

“West Aucklanders are not second class citizens and should not have to put up with second rate health services. NZNO will continue to support the community in their fight to keep vital health services in the west.” 

22 October 2013:

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) says that the provision of high quality healthcare relies on sustainable funding and adequate staffing – not “hotel-style” patient ratings. NZNO members are always looking for ways to improve and enhance the care their patients receive. We do not believe this is the way to measure quality healthcare.

NZNO industrial adviser Lesley Harry says there are several issues with the Health Quality and Safety Commission’s new hospital ratings plan, “If our members are working in a situation where they are pressured, where there is inadequate staffing and inadequate resources, they are less likely to be able to provide the level of care the nursing team wants to provide. Systemic failures should not result in individual staff being targeted. "
 
“Similarly, a smiley nurse or friendly doctor doesn’t necessarily equate with excellent care.”
 
“NZNO is unsure what will be done with the information and how it will be used. The money spent capturing, administering and analysing hotel-style ratings may be better spent on resourcing sufficient staffing levels and professional development.”
 
“In New Zealand patients can report concerns about inadequate treatment or care provision to the Health and Disability Commissioner as well as to the respective provider through their complaints process; let’s not reinvent the wheel.”
 
“Hospital services are far too complex to be ranked in the same way as the hospitality industry,” Lesley Harry says.