Masterton hospital staff to learn about job future next week

Jittery Masterton Hospital staff will get an idea of their work future next week at a sequence of meetings proposed by management.

With rumours of job cuts swirling through the hospital, staff have been invited to attend a special meeting next Tuesday at the Wairarapa District Health Board. They will hear a summary of matters highlighted through a three-month consultation process with staff.

After that, a series of meetings is to be held with individually-tailored information for separate services. These meetings are expected to run through the rest of Tuesday and Wednesday.

Staff will learn how their departments are to be staffed.

They will have a chance to make further comment, with documents expected to be finalised on Friday, April 15.

Board management had hoped to have the workforce confirmed by the end of March but chief executive David Meates says the staff response had been so extensive and wide reaching that the initial timeline had to be pushed out.

The consultation process began just days before Christmas last year, when staff received initial documents outlining how the new Masterton Hospital would operate. More than 100 submissions were made and more than 100 meetings involving staff held.

Mr Meates said he was keen to confirm the workforce required to provide services in the new hospital.

"There is always a settling down period necessary when a workforce is shaken up, and it is important everyone feels comfortable with their new routines before we all move to the new building."

- NZPA