Six more Tararua health staff resign as public meetings begin

Six staff have resigned from Tararua Health Group today, just days after staff warned that chronic understaffing was putting patient safety at risk.

They join 72 staff who have resigned over the past two years. With another three GPs due to leave over the next three weeks, Tararua Health Group is facing the loss of 81 staff in just over two years.

The resignations come as Patient Voice Aotearoa and Kaitiaki Hauora prepare to hold three public meetings across Tararua this week, giving local people the opportunity to hear what is happening and have their say.

Last week, staff at Pahiatua Medical Centre warned they were prepared to resign unless urgent action was taken to address staffing levels. Patients are reportedly waiting up to three months for routine appointments, while preventative screening for bowel, breast, cervical and prostate cancer is running up to 12 months behind schedule.

Nurse Practitioner Victoria Perry has warned, “Patients will die.”

The people of Tararua need to know what is happening to their local health services, what is being done about it, and what happens next.

Speaking at the meetings will be Patient Voice Aotearoa chair and Kaitiaki Hauora executive member Malcolm Mulholland, Tararua Health Group nurse Mark Emmerson, and Tararua Mayor Scott Gilmore.

Public meetings

Pahiatua
Tuesday 22 September, 6–7pm
Tararua College Hall
13 Churchill Street, Pahiatua

Woodville
Wednesday 23 September, 6–7pm
Village Hall
61 McClean Street, Woodville

Dannevirke
Thursday 24 September, 6–7pm
Dannevirke Town Hall
156 High Street, Dannevirke

Come along. Hear what’s happening. Have your say.

Tararua can’t wait.