Hundreds support striking Gisborne nurses aftercourt win

ABSTRACT

May 24, 2023 A hard-won one-hour strike by 24 Gisborne Hospital ward 5 nurses and health-care assistants (HCAs) this afternoon drew "huge" support, says an emotional nurse who led the fight all the way to the courtoom. In December, Gisborne Hospital nurse health and safety representative Carole Wallis lodged a provisional improvement notice (PIN) recommending five actions including reducing the beds on ward 5 - an acute medical and COVID ward - from 25 to 20. Te whatu Ora argued its hospital was taking steps on four of the five recommendations - including recruiting specifically for ward 5 - but did not agree reducing bed numbers on the ward would resolve the issues.