Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Not Protecting Nurses As First Responders Grossly Unfair, Says NZNO

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation says failure to include nurses, midwives, health care workers and kai mahi hauora as defined staff in the Protection for First Responders and Prison Officers Bill will only serve to further institutionalise the abuse nursing staff face on a daily basis.

The bill introduces new protections for first responders, defined as staff from the police and emergency health and fire services, in the Crimes Act 1961 and the Summary Offences Act 1981.

NZNO College of Emergency Nursing New Zealand (CENNZ) Chair Dr Sandra Richardson says verbal abuse, physical assault and sexual innuendo or threats by either patients or accompanying persons is commonplace for nurses.

"Our members tell us that violence in the workplace happens every day, and that the expectation is that they will just accept it as part of the job. Instances of reported violence tend to get swept under the carpet and nurses often don’t bother with them. That means levels of violence are likely higher than what records might suggest."

In a 2019 membership survey, 10 percent of NZNO members indicated that, during the last year, they had been either physically assaulted, verbally abused and/or subject to sexual innuendo, abuse or threats. The highest rates of abuse occurred in emergency departments or in mental health or aged care settings.

"ACC information shows assaults on DHB nurses are the third-highest cause of ACC claims by nurses and that physical injuries from assaults make up 14 percent of all DHB nurses claims (other DHB occupations are at just 10 percent," Dr Richardson said.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

"If people in Aotearoa New Zealand want to continue receiving high quality, professional care from a specialist nursing workforce, there need to be safeguards in place.

"Inclusion of nursing as a protected profession within the First Responders and Prison Officers Bill is one way of demonstrating an ongoing responsibility and recognition of the need to support this workforce. It’s not enough on its own, but it is a necessary starting point.

"This is a completely unacceptable omission reflecting an inaccurate understanding of what professions make up the first responder health workforce. It sends a clear message that our nursing staff are expected to just put up with being abused. They deserve so much better."

NZNO and CENNZ will be making oral submissions to the Justice Select Committee on Monday 9 March demanding that nurses, midwives, health care workers be included as first responders in the bill.

NZNO Professional Nursing Advisor Suzanne Rolls is presenting at around 10.05am. Dr Sandra Richardson, NZNO College of Emergency Nurses New Zealand, is presenting around 12.35pm.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.