Union tells members ‘don’t go there’

The latest NZRDA Hospital Review ranks Whanganui Hospital bottom. The review, written by registered medical officers (RMOs), says:

“Don’t go there...

“RMO wellbeing and welfare doesn’t appear to be on Whanganui DHB’s agenda. They have really struggled with reaching compliance with safer rosters... Coupled with this is an attitude that ‘Management is always right’...

“They do, however, have a new CEO coming onboard and we hope they will bring some much-needed change.”

However, training is likely to be approved, the workload on wards is manageable, and there is one-to-one contact with consultants . . . and SMOs are generally approachable, supportive and friendly.

Dr Deborah Powell, national secretary of the NZ Residents Doctors Association, said there were factors unrelated to work, including where doctors wanted to live. “Nonetheless, factors such as employer compliance with employment terms and conditions, safer rostering practices, appropriate training and supervision are hugely significant.”

It said the ranking reflected “Whanganui Hospital’s unsupportive management approach and failure to implement their single safer roster. These issues placed them near the bottom last year and it seems no effort has been made to change, Whanganui now slipping to bottom.”