Gisborne Health and Safety Strike

NZNO members in Ward 5 at Gisborne Hospital went on strike for health and safety on 24 May, 2023.  

NZNO Media release 12 May 2023 - Exhausted Gisborne Hospital Ward 5 nurses to strike

NZNO Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) members at Gisborne Hospital’s Ward 5 will embark on industrial action for one hour on 24 May after a series of appeals for staff and patient safety have been ignored by the employer.

Tairāwhiti delegate Christine Warrander said the decision was made because they are incredibly concerned about patient safety and the existing situation continues to compromise patient care

Warrander said a provisional improvement notice (PIN) was issued on 20 December for Ward 5 in response to health and safety concerns arising from unsafe staffing levels.

"Acute and persistent staff shortages had resulted in untenable workloads, staff stress, increased sick leave, burn out and resignations."

But the situation has become worse since the PIN was issued, Warrander said.

"The system is falling apart, and no one is listening!"

Patient care nurses are calling on Te Whatu Ora to immediately focus on three key areas.

- Reduce beds from 25 to a maximum of 20.

- until such time as staff on Ward 5 in their professional judgement agree safe staffing levels are met.

- Increase staff to provide safe patient care.

Warrander said every time there was an acute staffing shortage, it meant a patient was at risk of not getting the correct care they needed.

 

Media coverage

 

Videos from the strike (click on the image below to view each video)

   

 

   

Photos from the strike

       

      

    

    

Videos of solidarity and support (click on the image below to view each video)

  

 

 

Support from NZNO members around Aotearoa

Messages of solidarity and support (click on the image below to view)