Delays in cancer treatment appointments at Starship Children's Hospital due to nursing shortages are heartbreaking and infuriating, says the NZNO College of Child and Youth Nurses.
The College* of Child and Youth Nurses (CCYN) today expressed its deep concern about the situation.
"This is not something that has occurred overnight," says youth health nurse practitioner and college committee member Michael Brenndorfer.
"Nurses have been sounding the alarm for the past two years that effective hiring freezes are putting patients at risk, and to now see cancer treatment for children delayed as a result is both heartbreaking and infuriating.
"Our members have also reported the continued loss of senior nursing and clinical nurse specialist roles which has compounded the situation, and increased delays and risks to patient outcomes in child cancer treatment. This needs immediate rectification."
Michael Brenndorfer says multiple reports have now been released highlighting the impact of effective funding cuts to frontline staffing and recruitment.
"The College expresses its gratitude to the nurses who spoke-out publicly about this situation," he says.
"We all know how hard it is as nurses when we can’t deliver the care our patients deserve due to staffing shortages. We are here to support the child cancer nurses as they navigate this distressing situation.
"Our hearts are also with the families who have been negatively impacted by the consequences of this Government’s funding cuts," Michael Brenndorfer says.
*The College of Child and Youth Nurses is the professional college for more than 500 nurses and nurse practitioners who work across child and youth health services in Aotearoa New Zealand.