Union show makes point

The Hutt Valley’s ageing population has become a health risk to industry workers, the Public Services Association says.

The PSA’s Yes We Care campaign roadshow was at Hutt Hospital on March 12 to highlight serious healthcare funding issues in the region and across New Zealand.

‘‘It’s simple,’’ Hutt Hospital physiotherapist and PSA delegate Camille McWhirter said. ’’The same amount of money can’t be stretched over an ever-increasing number of aged clients. Something eventually has to give.

‘‘Some staff are reluctant to take leave, including sick leave, or they come back to work before they get better because they don’t want others to pick up the workload,’’ McWhirter said.

‘‘We don’t have an issue with the District Health Board, it’s a great place to work,’’ she said. ’’It’s Government funding which is limiting care and stretching the workforce.

‘‘Demand is increasing but there hasn’t been an increase in staff to reflect this. We are constantly short staffed because we don’t have cover for annual leave and the remaining staff are always having to do more.’’

The pressure meant her colleagues were tired and at risk of burn out.

Patients were inevitably impacted as staff were pressured to get people out faster.

‘‘We have to constantly prioritise which patients are seen and the treatment we are providing. We can’t give locals the care we want to give them,’’ she said.