Senior nurses force rethink at Capital and Coast.

SENIOR NURSES and midwives at Capital and Coast District Health Board (DHB) have forced management to rethink a proposal to cut 15 teaching and support roles. A consultation document released last month recommended cutting the equivalent of 15 full-time senior nurses and midwives in teaching and support roles from the existing 72 positions.

But nurses' and midwives' outrage at the proposal has led to its suspension and the offer of a revised process, which is now underway and which will be completed on August 24. If the revised proposal meets the DHB's requirements it will be implemented. If not, the original proposal will be implemented. The DHB wants greater support for bedside care, reduced turnover, affordability, and a reduction in adverse incidents such as patient falls.

After the original proposal was released, around 50 senior nurses registerd a vote of no confidence in the senior management team. In a letter to the board, the nurses said the document did not reflect the advice given by senior nurses and midwives and, if implemented, would have a direct and detrimental effect on patient care.

Senior nurses and midwives also wrote to director of nursing Anita Bamford, saying her leadership of nurses and midwives at the DHB had failed. The letter stated she had a "distinct lack of understanding of the roles within the senior nursing and midwifery structure" and that as the lead nurse within the DHB, she had "failed to advocate for patients, nurses and midwives".

A meeting of national nursing organisation representatives in Wellington last month expressed "strong and unanimous support" for NZNO's campaign against the job cuts.

NZNO organiser Christin Watson said the senior nurses and midwives were pleased the board had offered a new process but NZNO would not support any proposal to cut senior nurses' positions.

* Canterbury DHB is undergoing a management restructure. NZNO is making written and oral submissions on the proposal.