29 November 2012:
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) is pleased to see the recommendations made in the ‘Status of Waikato DHB Women’s Health' report.
NZNO professional nursing adviser, Kate Weston says, “The DHB needs to implement the interim measure of rostering an extra midwife per shift as a matter of urgency to manage risk to mothers and babies and to provide support to staff who are under significant pressure.”
“NZNO will work alongside the DHB to ensure the recommendations for a safe workplace for mothers, babies and staff are implemented in a timely way.”
“The care capacity demand management (CCDM) approach of using evidence to achieve safe staffing levels to meet patient need is needed now,” Weston says.
“Waikato DHB needs to come on board with CCDM and begin to work in partnership with NZNO and the Safe Staffing Healthy Workplaces Unit to create a safe environment where patients get the best possible care.”