My Account
Rural nurses ignored
I am a rural practice nurse in a large rural general practice where I have worked for the past 28 years. I am very angry that Health Minister Andrew Little has left all general practice nurses out of his recent Pay Parity settlement for health workers.
The Ministry of Health’s media release on November 28 states: “The Government is committed to ensuring health workers are paid fairly and receive parity with others doing the same or similar work, especially given the current cost of living pressures workers and their families are under.”
If the Government is indeed committed to this, then why hasn’t Mr Little addressed GP practice nurses’ wages? There is clearly a difference between the contracted rates for primary health care nurses and their colleagues at Te Whatu Ora – you only have to read the contracts to see this. There is also a difference in the number of salary levels at which GP nurses can be paid. If I was working in a hospital, I would be paid at Level 7, but Level 6 is the highest I can be paid on our current collective agreement that also expired in August 2021.
I understand some employers may pay above the contract rates, but I know from experience there are many out there who would like to but cannot, because funding deficits do not allow them to. Those employers who do would be using funding that would ordinarily be used for patient services.
I feel angry, sad, very disappointed and, personally, very devalued. The nurses who have worked in general and rural practice over the last few pandemic years have worked very hard to keep their communities safe and this decision is a real kick in the gut. At a time when hospital services are being devolved to general practice, I would have thought the Minister would be doing his utmost to maintain GP services.
We have had some of our nurses leave to work in Australia and others who have moved to Te Whatu Ora positions because they can earn far more. I am one of those nurses who is due to retire in a few years.
I am, therefore, understandably concerned about the future staffing of nurses in general practice and rural health. I also implore the Minister to please reconsider his decision with urgency.
Ros Gallagher, Wellsford
Call for better lake management
With summer fast approaching, people will be out and about enjoying their favourite recreation picnic spots. In north Rodney, as well as superb beaches we also have a beautiful scenic and socially important reserve – the Tomarata lakes, which have been a favourite destination for day visitors and family picnickers for many years. The lakes have, unfortunately, also been the subject of conflict between users.
With a huge new player in the district in the form of the immaculately managed Te Arai Links golf resort, it’s time for Auckland Council to mount an urgent review of the Tomarata Lakes Management Plan, in conjunction with the Rodney Local Board.
Tomarata Lake itself suffers habitually from vandalism and careless use. Some years ago, Council settled on a management plan which was designed to accommodate all users and interests around this small body of water. This policy has failed spectacularly. As users last summer saw, not only were picnickers competing for swimming space and bank-side space with water skiers, power craft, boat trailers and free running dogs, but a disturbing number of jet skis and their thrill seeking drivers were showing off their riding skill in watery broadsides, as close to the beach as possible, or were using the buoys intended to protect swimmers as a convenient slalom course.
The roar of high powered engines driven at full speed, coupled with the smell of exhaust fumes and oil slicks washing up on the sand, have made it almost impossible for family picnickers to have a blissful day at Tomarata’s lakeside. Many families, who once enjoyed this day out, have abandoned the lake to groups of young men.
The solution I and others in the district believe is to urgently separate motorised craft among the other lakes.
Jet skiers are typically not interested in scenic values and could be accommodated on the new lake formed by the sand mine. Water skiers and powered boats could be accommodated there also or, as used to be the case, at Spectacle Lake. Lake Tomarata itself can easily accommodate kayaks and sail boards, although dogs should be excluded on weekends.
Council should take the initiative and declare the lake for paddle and sail only, as part of a responsible management plan which addresses the recreational needs of all users in the lakes area.
Brent Morrissey, Wellsford
Intersection upgrade needed
After spending 40 minutes getting into Warkworth from Snells the other day, and missing an appointment, I realised how much quicker it will be to go across Sharps Road and along to the Matakana link road to get to the new Pak’nSave and the Albany shops, via the Warkworth bypass.
Therefore, I think that the intersection where Sandspit, Sharp and Mahurangi East roads meet needs urgent attention to avoid many accidents happening. A roundabout would be great.
I also feel that having no slip road onto the bypass on the southern side of Warkworth is ridiculous, as that means that two-thirds of the town has to back-track through five sets of lights to go forwards to Auckland. Most people will just use the old road.
Arthur Hopkins, Snells Beach
