MIL OSI – Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation – Release/Statement
Headline: Quality care must be the priority – Waikato DHB needs at least an extra $3 million
23 May 2016
New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) delegate and mental health nurse Rowan Coker is calling on the Government to invest at least $3 million over what is expected for Waikato DHB in Thursday’s Budget, just to maintain Waikato’s health care services.
“I decided to become a nurse because I knew it was an interesting and varied job where I could make a real difference. I’ve enjoyed helping people for 20 years, even at the worst points in their lives.” he says.
“But now, mental health help isn’t coming early enough. This could be your son or your daughter who needs help and it’s not there. To be really blunt, we do well with what we’ve got, but not having enough early intervention means preventable suicides in our own community and that’s so tragic.”
“The nursing team has been doing more with less for years. It’s getting to the point that we’re really worried about our colleagues, our patients, our jobs and the level of health care available for the Waikato.
“We’re nurses. We want to provide high quality care for everyone who needs it and that’s what we’d prefer to be doing. But when the health system is underfunded by over a billion dollars – we have to speak up. New Zealanders need to know what’s actually going on.”
“If our health system was properly funded it would be responsive and safe, and listen to nurses. This means having the services in place for people to reach out for help if they are stressed or in a dark place, before they get really sick. We need more money to help people who aren’t in the middle of a crisis.”
“We think people in Waikato want great healthcare they can access where and when they need it, too.”