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The Department of Labour is prosecuting Bay of Plenty District Health Board for failing to provide practicable steps to ensure the safety of a Whakatane Hospital nursing manager.
The board, which denies the charges, is being prosecuted under the Health and Safety in Employment Act. The case is believed to be only the second of its type in New Zealand.
The department alleges the board exposed the nursing manager, who collapsed on March 21, to risk of harm by work-related stress. In Whakatane District Court last week, Crown prosecutor Casey Hurren said the woman's collapse led to the charge, but problems had been previously revealed in a nurse review form. The board had not actively helped her, Mr Hurren said.
Board lawyer Rebecca Webbey said it maintained that the issues the woman faced were all part of the job. The board should not be held responsible for her not coping with her duties.
Mr Hurren said this was the second stress case to be taken. As the defendant pleaded guilty in the first case, this could be the first to go to a hearing.
Judge Louis Bidois remanded the case for six weeks. It would be revisited on July 18.
- NZPA
