Tauranga nurses protest at poor pay and staff shortages

Nurses had their voices heard in Tauranga. Photo/John Borren

Nurses protested opposite Tauranga Hospital this afternoon to raise awareness of issues, including under payment and short staffing.

Signs with "We are here because we care" written in bold letters were held high and cars tooted as nurses rallied on Cameron Rd opposite the hospital between noon and 1pm.

Angela Neil of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation said Bay of Plenty nurses were physically and mentally tired of being undervalued and underpaid.

"There is no downtime for nurses and those in the health-care system," Neil said. "They want to get paid what they are worth."

Helen Tuck, a registered nurse at Tauranga Hospital, said New Zealand nurses were tired of being undervalued.

Tuck said Tauranga nurses wanted to raise public awareness of their dissatisfaction with the Government's under-investment in quality patient care, nurses pay and staffing shortages.

"Today is our opportunity to talk with our community and reassure them that the investment in nursing is an investment in their health care," Tuck said.

Another lunchtime demonstration was planned outside Whakatane Hospital tomorrow.