Quarantine nurses concerned over staffing

WELLINGTON: Nurses working at managed isolation facilities across the country have raised concerns about staff shortages and instability.

These problems were formally recognised in an audit by the Ministry of Health in October.

The ministry said the matters had been addressed — but many healthcare professionals working at border facilities disagree.

The Infection Prevention and Control Audit of Managed Isolation and Quarantine Facilities was released publicly last month. In it, the ministry revealed more facilities had been facing staffing shortages and roster problems.

The ministry confirmed in a statement all matters identified in the audit had been followed up and addressed.

But that is rejected by two of the country’s largest nursing unions, which have hundreds of members working in MIQ facilities.

New Zealand Nurses Organisation spokeswoman Kate Weston said several of its members raised concerns before Christmas:

‘‘We have been concerned about the sustainability and the staffing. I think it’s something we’re going to have to put a lot of effort into, particularly now we’ve got the more transmissible virus, so we’re going to need to ensure that staffing is sustainable and that those numbers are bolstered.’’

Ms Weston said she had received reports of staff doing excessive overtime to cover gaps, with some members feeling pressured.

‘‘It is pretty intense work for them and really critically important, so we’ve been supporting members on an individual basis as they’ve come forward to us and have been actively working with them to try to improve situations.’’

These concerns were echoed by Nurses Society director David Wills, who said the union surveyed 160 of its members working in MIQ facilities last month and 44% had experienced inadequate staffing.

‘‘Well it does mean that they obviously at times are having to work overtime. It does mean that they’re carrying heavier workloads, missing meal breaks and things like that, but generally they cope because they have to cope.’’

But Mr Wills said it was not as simple as hiring more staff.

Both of the nurses unions say it is time to do a proper stocktake of the country’s medical personnel and find out where the gaps are. — RNZ