Staff shortage cuts health provider care

HealthCare NZ has discontinued care of four of its South Canterbury clients, citing the impact of the vaccine mandate on staffing levels for the move.

NZ Health Group chief executive Josephine Gagan said it was ‘‘unfortunate’’ HealthCare NZ had to stop providing the services, but safety and wellbeing of its clients was the top priority.

Gagan said the Government mandate for those working in the healthcare sector to be double vaccinated had resulted in increased staffing shortages, forcing a review of its client base in South Canterbury.

Despite a 97.6 per cent double vaccinated workforce, the mandate requires 100 per cent, Gagan said.

‘‘HealthCare NZ has unfortunately needed to stop providing services to four clients in the South Canterbury region, but has made alternative arrangements to ensure their continued care is carried out; this represents 1.25 per cent of our client base in the region.’’

To make alternative arrangements with minimal disruption, the clients’ needs and preferences had to be matched with suitably qualified and available staff.

Gagan said discontinuation of services was a last resort. They had also increased recruitment efforts and offered free training to try to avoid such circumstances.

Most of the four clients they were no longer providing care for had high and complex needs.

‘‘We did not have adequate staff to care for the clients, and as a result felt the clients’ safety was at risk,’’ Gagan said.

‘‘Before any decision about discontinuation of services is made, there is a thorough consultation process between the client, their whā nau and support network, the funding agency and our team.

‘‘We have worked hard to minimise any impact on disrupting services to our clients, however a small number of clients have been impacted.’’

In July, HealthCare NZ, a private company which contracts to district health boards to provide home and community support for elderly, disabled and injured people, withdrew from its contract with the South Canterbury District Health Board over failure to reach financial agreement.

The workers’ union the Public Service Association threatened legal action in September against the DHB as workers transferring to new providers were not guaranteed the same terms and conditions.

An agreement on increased funding was reached between the two in October and HealthCare NZ reinstated its contract.

The SCDHB has about 1200 clients receiving home-based support services in the region of which about 140 are with HealthCare NZ.