Documents released to the Public Service Association show Health NZ intentionally delayed recruiting frontline health workers to control spending, even while patients faced stretched services.
Briefings to Health Minister Simeon Brown revealed officials had to personally approve frontline appointments, leaving some vacancies unfilled for months.
The PSA said the delays contributed to chemotherapy shutdowns, reduced care for stroke patients and staff burnout.
Meanwhile, hospitals have been dealing with rising flu admissions, lengthy wait times and cancelled elective surgery. Health NZ denied its recruitment decisions had compromised patient safety. Read more at NZ Herald and RNZ.
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Image credit: Miguel Ausego
Was it a DEI appointnent by any chance?