Te Whatu Ora Must Come Clean Over New Uniforms

Te Whatu Ora must explain why its rolling out new uniforms for nurses and health care assistants nationwide at a time when patients are struggling to get the care they need because of short-staffing and under-resourcing, NZNO says.

In an internal email seen by NZNO, Te Whatu Ora has told staff: "The uniform changes are part of a wider effort to create nationally consistent systems and standards across Health NZ and build a more unified, modern health system where patients and staff experience the same high standards wherever they are in the country".

Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO delegate and Waikato Hospital nurse Tracy Chisholm says members are questioning the timing and cost of the new uniforms.

"Everyday nurses and health care assistants arrive at work to face short-staffed wards and old under-resourced systems in rundown and no longer fit-for-purpose buildings.

"Staff vacancies aren’t being filled and IT failures at Te Whatu Ora facilities are occurring weekly, if not daily.

"We have been fighting for safe staffing, and a cost-of-living wage increase through our collective agreement bargaining for the past 18 months.

"The timing of now - four years after the DHBs were merged - is questionable," Tracy Chisholm says.

"Te Whatu Ora should reveal how much the new uniforms are costing and explain why they are being prioritised over employing more nurses and health care assistants and fixing our crumbling hospitals.

"More health workers will ensure patients can get the heath care they need which should be a priority, not shiny new uniforms," Tracy Chisholm says.

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