Health NZ to hire 380 frontline staff and consider nurse ratios

Health NZ will hire 380 additional full-time equivalent nursing, midwifery, and healthcare assistant roles this financial year. The agency is also developing a business case to assess whether nurse-to-patient ratios or other staffing models should be introduced. This work follows an agreement with the New Zealand Nurses Organisation and the Public Service Association to evaluate how staffing is calculated across different clinical settings.

The new roles will be distributed across regions, with 149 FTE in the South Island, 120 in the Northern region, 76 in the Central region, and 32 in the Midland region. Of these, 94 positions are intended for emergency departments to address sustained pressure experienced during winter. National chief nurse Nadine Gray stated that the majority of these roles are nurses, though the exact percentage was not confirmed.

The staffing increase stems from the annual Care Capacity Demand Management (CCDM) calculation, a system used for 20 years. An independent review earlier this year found the CCDM data lacked consistency, quality, and reliability. Gray described the current method as complex and difficult to apply across a diverse health system.

The business case regarding new staffing models is expected to be completed next year. One report suggests the business case may be completed in 2027.

How it developed

• Fri 25 Sep, 3:14pmThe report notes that the 380 roles represent just over 1% of the total Health NZ nursing workforce.

Where reports differ

• One report states the business case is expected to be completed next year, while another says it is expected in 2027

Compiled from reports by 1News, The Post, Stuff, NZ Herald and Otago Daily Times.