Gisborne Hospital Report - Health and Disability Commissioner

Gisborne Hospital 1999 – 2000
Introduction and Environment
CCP fell into disfavour and was avoided by nurses [even though] CCP
implementation and management occurred within the consultation
framework set out in the collective employment contract between THL
and the NZNO.”
3.18 Embarking on a radical restructure of nursing structure without the
foundations of a CCP framework in place meant that nurses were unable to
connect the proposed changes to their own personal career development needs.
Positions and responsibilities were disestablished before the replacement
structure and processes were ready to be implemented. In some cases no
attempt was made to reallocate responsibilities. There was no risk assessment
of the project. If this had occurred it would have been evident that the CCP
programme was integral to the success of the SFIU or the double floor
inpatient service.
The millennium celebrations
3.19 Parallel with the nursing restructuring and planning for the ward
reconfiguration, was the need to plan for the millennium celebrations.
Predictions suggested that Gisborne would be host to a huge population influx
over the New Year period. The world media were very interested in Gisborne
2000, and Tairawhiti Healthcare realistically anticipated that an influx of
tourists would result in an increased demand for service.
Nurses’ concerns in 2000
3.20 Early in 2000, after the millennium celebrations, the full effects of the physical
restructuring were apparent. Surgical and orthopaedic nurses outlined in
writing their concerns about staffing levels. The nurses linked the staffing
level situation to the ward reconfiguration. They argued that the revamped
physical layout of the wards changed the way they could deliver nursing care,
and pointed to a range of problems.
“The nursing structure basically fell apart. The physical restructure
happened and with that the old clinical nurse leader positions were
disestablished. These positions were disestablished before the clinical
nurse specialists and unit managers were in place.”
3.21 Nurses at THL expressed the opinion that they were working in an
environment in which they were not valued or listened to. They believed that
patient care would suffer.
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