Nursing reports

Each year the New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO) presents Service to Nursing and Midwifery Awards as a way of recognising nurses or midwives who are NZNO members and who have made a positive difference to nursing or midwifery practice or practice environment.

This year there were four recipients of the Award which was presented at the NZNO Conference Dinner on 19 September in Wellington.

1. Sheryl Haywood (Ashburton)

Sheryl is a nurse practitioner in Ashburton providing comprehensive services to the frail elderly with complex diagnoses and management requirements. She is passionate about person-centred care and believes in building sustainable and trusting relationships with her clients. Her nominators say she is making a significant contribution to improving the lives of older people and that she inspires those lucky enough to work with her.

2. Siniva Leru-Cruikshank (South Auckland)

In her more than 40 years of nursing experience, Siniva has been very active as a nurse and in her communities in both New Zealand and Samoa. A matai (or Samoan chief) she was a founding member of NZNO’s Pacific Nurses Section, where she is acknowledged as an elder and she currently works with the Health Star Pacific Trust overseeing the Rheumatic Fever School Programme in South Auckland. She is a wonderful leader who readily shares her knowledge, skills and practice.

3. Vaifagaloa Naseri (Auckland)

Vaifagaloa is also a matai who was nominated for her extensive and generous contributions to Pacific nursing and Pacific communities. She has been a registered nurse and midwife working in both Samoa and New Zealand and has held a number of clinical, educational and managerial roles. These have included chairperson of the Pacific Women’s Data Advisory Group for the national cervical screening programme, Manager of the Pacific Breast Screening programme for Auckland, and as a committee member for NZNO’s Pacific Nursing Section. 

4. Leonie Metcalfe (Waikato)

Leonie has been an enrolled nurse at Waikato Hospital for 35 years. She has a long history of involvement with NZNO and is the enrolled nurse representative on Waikato DHB’s PDRP Council. Leonie was nominated for being a great advocate for enrolled nursing at every opportunity and for her extensive history of supporting colleagues in the workplace.

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Media inquiries: Rob Zorn, NZNO Media and Communications Advisor. 027 431 2617.

Legislation another milestone in pay equity journey

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) says it is incredibly pleased at today’s announcement that pay equity legislation has come before Parliament.

NZNO Industrial Services Manager Cee Payne says it is absolutely fitting because it was 125 years ago to the very day that the hard fight for women’s right to vote was won in New Zealand and strides toward future pay equity were made.

“This is a day upon which we honour the memory of those mighty suffragette women who came before us, and that it’s been exactly 125 years makes this legislation an especially appropriate milestone.”

She said after so many years, victory in the struggle for pay equity was now in sight.

“As the union and professional association with the largest female membership we believe it is essential that good legislation is in place that enable all women to achieve pay equity and make pay equity claims, whether or not they are covered by collective agreements.

“We also believe such legislation should have future-proofing built into it that will allow us to monitor that equal rates of pay are being maintained into the future.”

A process for achieving pay equity with settlements to be paid by 31 December 2019 was won by NZNO members working in DHBs who took industrial action in July.

Cee Payne says once pay equity is established in the DHB sector it will set the benchmark for members in non-DHB employment.

“Already we are seeing positive responses from employers in the private sector to the pay increases achieved in the DHB MECA bargaining, and this reflects a massive step forward for all nurses in New Zealand.”

She said, however, that the work of the union and its members in the pay equity journey will be ongoing.

“We will continue to build collective power until all women in our country have achieved pay equity. Today we celebrate this legislation and the journey and success so far. Like those early suffragettes, what we collectively achieve today and in our lifetimes will shape a better and more equal tomorrow.”

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Media inquiries: Rob Zorn, NZNO Media and Communications Advisor: 027 431 2617.

Media advisory, 17 September 2018,

NZNO Conference 2018: Thursday 20 September

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington

Health is a human right: optimising nursing to make it happen

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) Annual Conference will take place 20 September 2018 in Wellington. Once again it will be a showcase of pride and celebration around nurses’ and nursing’s achievements, as well as a major forum for discussing issues facing nurses, midwives and healthcare workers.

NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku said the conference theme: Health is a human right – optimising nursing to make it happen is fitting, given the inequalities and inequities our communities currently face.

“Nurses are in a key role to make courageous change, to challenge the status quo and to advocate for communities.

“If health is a human right and if the aspirations of the World Health Organization’s sustainable development goals – that no one is left behind – are to become reality, we must look at our role as nurses differently. We need to be chief contributors to making change for all people, especially those too often left behind by the current health system.”

NZNO President Grant Brookes says the conference will be an opportunity for nurses, midwives, healthcare workers and all members to come together and build on the goals of the organisation – which include rebuilding our health system after years of neglect.

“I think sharing time together, celebrating our achievements and listening to cross sector leaders speak will help us raise our sights and embrace the vision: Health is a human right – optimising nursing to make it happen.”

Keynote speakers

8.40am  - Hon Dr David Clark, Minister of Health – Opening address

9.10am  - Rachel Callendar, TEDx presenter and author
The impact and implications of language – effective communication strategies in healthcare

10.25am  - Prof Margaret Brunton, Massey University School of Communication, Journalism and Marketing
What do you mean? Cross-cultural influences on registered nurse communication and practice in diverse healthcare organisations

11.10am  - Janet Anderson-Bidois, Chief Legal Advisor, Human Rights Commission
 Creating change – how to use a human rights approach to improve outcomes for  health and disability service users

11.45am  -Dr Moana Jackson (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou), Director of Ngā
Kaiwhakamarama I Nga Ture (the Māori Legal Service)

1.15pm  - Annie Butler, Federal Secretary, Australian Nursing & Midwifery Association
Falling through the cracks; is healthcare accessible to all?

A number of concurrent seminar sessions will also take place during the afternoon.

NZNO Awards

Three NZNO awards will be presented at the Conference dinner (Wed 19 September, 7pm, Te Papa):

• Young Nurse of the Year
• Service to Nursing and Midwifery
• Service to NZNO.

Media releases about these awards (embargoed until 8pm) will be issued late Wednesday afternoon.

Media are welcome to attend and report on the conference. Please contact Rob Zorn, NZNO Media and Communications Advisor: 027 431 2617, rob.zorn@nzno.org.nz.

28 August 2018

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation says the Government needs to review existing aged-care sector standards and set staffing levels to ensure quality care for our elderly.

NZNO Industrial Advisor David Wait said the Indicators for Safe Aged-Care and Dementia Care produced by Standards New Zealand, and widely used as a measure for staffing levels by the sector, are out-of-date and only voluntary.

"What the sector needs is for the Indicators to be reviewed and updated and then made compulsory as a minimum set of standards for all aged-care service providers in New Zealand," Mr Wait said.

He said the Human Rights Commission’s Caring Counts report of 2012 recommended compulsory indicators as did two separate inquiries by Grey Power, Labour and the Green parties.

"Here we are eight years down the track from the Human Rights Commission’s report and we haven’t acted on it. We’re still hearing unfortunate stories about standards of aged-care, and this is a source of considerable distress to some aged-care residents and their families."

Mr Wait said the current Indicators were good but that they haven’t been updated for 13 years and so do not take into account the increased needs of elderly residents.

On 27 August Associate Minister of Health Jenny Salesa said she was hugely concerned by any reports of mistreatment in rest homes and that the Government was looking to make improvements in this area.

Mr Wait said the Government should update the aged-care standards and set staffing levels to ensure quality care for our elderly.

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Media enquiries:

NZNO Communications and Media Adviser Rob Zorn: 027 431 2617

 

Media Release                                                                   13 August 2018

 

NZNO Te Rūnanga Akenehi Hei Award 2018

 

At the awards dinner for the Indigenous Nurses Aotearoa Conference 2018, NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku was delighted to present the biennial Akenehi Hei Award to Northland nurse, Moe Milne (ONZM).

Akenehi Hei is the highest honour for Te Rūnanga and is an NZNO award.

In 2017 Moe Milne was awarded the Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to Māori health. Of Ngāti Hine and Ngāpuhi descent, Moe has been a mental health nurse for more than 40 years.

Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku, congratulating Moe Milne said:

“Moe’s dedication is a gift to all New Zealanders and I was very proud to present this award to such a great person who is so dedicated to Māori health needs and education.

“She generates the same aroha, manaakitanga and commitment to her people as Akenehi Hei and is truly inspirational for her contributions to Māori health and knowledge.

 “She has provided significant leadership throughout her working career and her commitment toward Māori wellbeing for whānau, hapū and Iwi,” she said.

Akenehi Hei was the first Māori nurse to register under her Māori name. She was able to incorporate both Māori and non-Māori values into her practice, which was recognised by her peers and medical colleagues long after her early death to typhoid. She has become an inspiration and whaea tipuna (inspirational leader) to many aspiring Māori nurses, midwives and health professionals.

Ends.

Media enquiries to Karen Coltman:  027 431 2617.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Media release                                                        9 August 2018

 

 

Chief Executive releases detail of results

 

 

Chief Executive Memo Musa says, that in consultation with key NZNO staff, and following the conclusion of bargaining, NZNO has made the decision to release the overall details of the DHB MECA ratification vote. As announced this Tuesday the ratification of the final offer was accepted by a significant majority of NZNO members covered by the NZNO/DHB Nursing and Midwifery MECA.

 

He says due to the high profile nature of this negotiation process and the large amount of social media comment suggesting NZNO has misrepresented the facts  the vote result, he now declares:

 

“The percentage of votes in favour of the fifth DHB MECA offer as returned by Electionz.com is 64.1 percent to accept the offer and 35.9 percent to reject the offer.

 

“The previous offer the result was 49.4% to accept the offer and 50.6% to reject the offer.”

 

“As said last time the vote result was very close and this time there was a significant majority accepting the offer.

 

“We are now focused on implementation. The organisation is strong and growing and I am proud of the hard work of my colleagues, the delegates and members have undertaken to achieve a MECA which lays down the foundations for a safer and rewarding career in nursing.,” Memo Musa said.

 

 

ENDS.

 

Media enquiries to: Media adviser Karen Coltman 027 431 2617.

Media release                                                       7 August 2018   

 

Majority vote to ratify DHB MECA offer

The DHB NZNO Multi-Employer Collective Agreement for Nurses, Midwives and healthcare assistants is settled, bringing to an end nearly a year of negotiations. The fifth offer to the 30,000 NZNO DHB members has been ratified by online ballot.

Industrial Services Manager Cee Payne reports that voter turnout was high with a significant majority in favour.

 “The campaign for safe staffing and better pay that continued through nationwide Rallies for Health, helped to bring public attention to the unacceptable workloads and working conditions of the public health sector nursing workforce and this helped to secure an acceptable MECA.”

NZNO confirms it will with urgency work with the DHBs on implementation.

“Immediate attention to improving safe staffing with complete implementation of CCDM by 2021 will address longstanding issues of work load and working conditions which, have negatively affected the quality of care nurses provide and the morale of nursing teams.

“The ability to realise pay equity for public sector nurses and midwifes by December 2019 will address the historic undervaluing of work in a profession where the majority of employees are women, laying down a foundation for a much safer and valued career in nursing,” Cee Payne said.

NZNO president Grant Brookes said:

“We are very proud that the collective voice of NZNO members, was heard throughout the country and drove up investment in the public health system and workforce.”

NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku said:

“We have much more work to do from here on to secure decent pay, safe staffing and improved working conditions for nurses employed by Māori & Iwi providers, those in primary health care, aged care and private hospitals because they also deserve to be highly valued for their contributions to health care.”

In addition, Memo Musa, Chief Executive says that securing top-level additional Government assurance through the Safe Staffing Accord, over and above the requirements in the DHB NZNO MECA shows the issues articulated by members have been heard.

“I thank our negotiating team that worked relentlessly, who were committed to getting an offer acceptable to members. We also thank our members, CTU unions affiliate members and the public who supported NZNO during the negotiations,” he said

 

 

Ends.

 

 

 

 

Media enquiries to NZNO media adviser: Karen Coltman 027 431 2617.

 

 

Media Release                                                      27 July 2018

 

 

Safe Staffing Accord – to give top-level assurance

 

Welcoming the ‘Safe Staffing and Care Capacity Demand Management: Effective Implementation Accord’ Chief Executive Memo Musa says he is confident it will, finally, at the top level of Government, address the unsafe staffing levels of the nursing and midwifery workforce which, have been experienced for over a decade in the public sector.

 

Parties to the Accord are New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO), District Health Boards (DHBs) and the Director-General of Health.

 

For many years the top concern of the New Zealand nursing and midwifery workforce has remained the understaffing and, the resulting unsafe healthcare environment for staff and patients, as previously reported in the NZNO Employment Survey 2017.

 

“This accord takes hold of this distressing issue at the very top level and we commend the Government for this move,” Memo Musa said.

 

“The voices of nurses’ and midwives have been heard and their campaigns garnered commitment for urgent change. This Accord is supplementary to the current DHB MECA fifth offer presented to NZNO members.

 

“Nurses have also said that a reason they leave the profession is because their high standards have been compromised because of unsafe staffing and also because they are dissatisfied by not being able to take time to advance their own skills or to train others. The accord addresses this issue by encouraging many back into the workforce with the commitment to safe staffing.

 

“NZNO in particular welcomes the pragmatic approach to attracting and retaining more nurses and midwives and the commitment to exploring options for the provision of employment of all New Zealand nursing and midwifery graduates,” Memo Musa said.

Detail of Accord and Minister of Health media release is here:

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/minister-brokers-accord-safe-nurse-staffing

 

Memo Musa will conduct media interview on Monday morning upon signing the Accord at parliament.

 

Ends.

 

 

Media Release                                                          26 July 2018

 

Life changing legislation celebrated

 

NZNO today celebrates the passing of the Domestic Violence Victims’ Protection Bill last night as it brings greater protection to victims of domestic violence and legislates for support in the workplace.

 

The detrimental effects of domestic violence is of great concern to NZNO which, is a large union and professional organisation with over 50,000 members. The majority of its members are women of which some will be victims of domestic violence.

 

NZNO spokesperson on violence against women Carol Beaumont says employers can help victims to be safe, to help support changes in peoples’ lives and indeed for some, this help may save lives.

 

“As we all know the extent of domestic violence and its terrible effect is huge in our society,” she said. 

 

“As a health profession organisation and union with large numbers of female members who deal with domestic violence issues, we are pleased that from April 2019  access to up to 10 days special leave will be available; more flexible working arrangements and; protection against adverse treatment in employment.

 

“This legislation will help many who are struggling to leave violent relationships, establish new lives and maintain their economic independence.  

 

“We acknowledge MP Jan Logie for promoting this Bill and the Green, Labour and NZ First parties for supporting this legislation throughout,” Ms Beaumont said. 

 

 

Media enquiries to: NZNO media adviser, Karen Coltman 027 431 2617.

 

 

Media Statement       24 July 2018

NZNO & DHB Negotiations

The New Zealand Nurses’ Organisation and District Health Boards met in Wellington today as part of the DHB/NZNO MECA negotiations.

 

Both NZNO and DHB are focused on reaching a settlement and will be in a position to provide further detail late afternoon tomorrow. In the meantime both parties will make no further comment.

 

ENDS.