TUESDAY, AUGUST 7, 2018

District Health Boards are promising to work with the New Zealand Nurses Organisation on the issues raised by nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants during contract negotiations.

The NZNO has announced that members have accepted the latest pay offer and DHB spokesperson Jim Green says they will work to rebuild the trust that is key to the team-based approach to patient care.

“There’s a lot of work to be done and we’re already underway. The Care Capacity Demand Management (CCDM) groups looking at safe staffing levels include NZNO members, and are part of our immediate response with the $38m provided by the government for recruitment.

“The joint work on the CCDM is the first part – if that work identifies more staff are needed DHBs will also recruit them as well.

“Last week we signed an accord with the NZNO outlining how we’ll work together to ensure there are enough people to deliver patient care – the first reporting milestone is due in three months.”

Mr Green says the new agreement acknowledges the value of the wider nursing workforce.

“There are three pay increases of 3 percent – two of which take effect immediately. There’s a third increase next year, as well as two new steps at the top of the nurses and midwives scale that specifically recognise the skill and experience of this group.

“There is also a commitment to Pay Equity and the DHBs can now continue working with the NZNO on that process.

“For DHBs, it’s about giving the NZNO and its members’ confidence we will deliver on commitments about staffing and resourcing.

“This is a substantial package to address the workforce issues raised by our people and part of a wider initiative to attract, develop and retain our vital nurses and midwives in their careers,” says Mr Green.

ENDS

© Scoop Media