Health NZ adds 24 nurses to North Shore Hospital emergency department after winter staffing crisis

Emergency department nurses at North Shore Hospital, who highlighted unsafe overcrowding and patient-care risks during a harsh winter, have secured additional staffing after lobbying Health NZ. The health authority committed to hiring 24 nurses for the unit, short of the 25 the nurses had initially sought but matching a revised staff categorisation. Recruitment began with nine positions and was expanded by fifteen more this week.

Brad Healey, the hospital’s chief executive, described the recruitment as “wonderful” and acknowledged the unprecedented pressure the department endured. Jean Classey, representing the Nurses’ Organisation, said the success will improve patient monitoring and urged other nurses nationwide to keep pressing for resources. The new hires are part of a broader national plan to add 380 nurses across New Zealand, with Waitakere Hospital also slated to receive 15 new staff.