Health budget leaves doctors focussing on paperwork, not patients

The Public Service Association (PSA) says the goals of the new funding for public health in Budget 2014 will be undermined by the ongoing cap on administrative and clerical staff numbers at District Health Boards (DHBs).

The PSA represents approximately 18,000 workers in DHBs across the country.

Richard Wagstaff, PSA National Secretary, said “Since 2009, administrative and clerical staff numbers have been capped despite a significant increase in workload.”

“The cap on support staff means doctors are having to spend more time on administration, giving them less time to perform their clinical roles.

“The new initiatives in Vote Health will place even more pressure on the support staff who keep our health system working.

“DHB administrative and clerical staff have been repeatedly left behind, and this has a direct impact on the provision of public health.

“Tony Ryall needs to remove the cap and let DHBs hire the staff they need to ensure that clinical staff are free to focus on patients, not paperwork,” said Richard Wagstaff.

Ends

© Scoop Media