On July 30th 2018, representatives of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO), DHBs and the Ministry of Health signed an Accord committing the parties to there being sufficient nurses and midwives in our public hospitals to ensure both their own and their patients’ safety.
The Accord commits all three parties to the following:
- to explore options for providing employment and training for all New Zealand nursing and midwifery graduates, taking into account the current model for doctors, and report to the Minister of Health by the end of November 2018
- to develop any accountability mechanisms that the parties believe are necessary (over and above those already agreed) to ensure DHBs implement the additional staffing needs identified by CCDM within the agreed timeframe (June 2021) and report to the Minister of Health by the end of February 2019
- to develop a strategy for the retention of the existing nursing and midwifery workforce and the re-employment of those who have left the workforce, and report to the Minister of Health by the end of May 2019.
This is a significant commitment to nursing by the current government and the Office of the Chief Nursing Officer is working closely with all parties involved to lead the programme of work required to develop the reports for the Minister. Our focus is currently on developing the first report exploring options for the employment and training of all New Zealand nursing and midwifery graduates. This includes enrolled nurses.