Relief from the nurses union over Health New Zealand's decision to review a hospital visitor hours expansion. 

The agency was intending to introduce a policy allowing nominated family members to support patients in hospital 24/7, outside visiting hours.

It will now review this following feedback. 

Healthcare Assistant and Nurses Organisation delegate Al Dietschin says there are no restrictive policies around family support currently. 

"While it's good to have family support, we shouldn't be doing it at the expense of a shortage of HCAs."

LISTEN ABOVE

Relief from the nurses union over Health New Zealand's decision to review a hospital visitor hours expansion.&nbsp;
The agency was intending to introduce a policy allowing nominated family members to support patients in hospital 24/7, outside visiting hours.
It will now review this following feedback.&nbsp;
Healthcare Assistant and Nurses Organisation delegate Al Dietschin says there are no restrictive policies around family support currently.&nbsp;
"While it's good to have family support, we shouldn't be doing it at the expense of a shortage of HCAs."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Al Dietschin: New Zealand Nurses Organisation delegate on Health NZ reviewing hospital visiting hours expansion

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/51b95b3a-756a-4106-ad6e-b359006444f4/transcript

Now, I think we may have just witnessed Winston Peters’ last major foreign policy speech as Foreign Minister, ever.

It is definitely the last one before the election, and if you follow the breadcrumbs he has been laying recently, it sounds like he does not want to be Foreign Minister next term.

He may want to stay home and do another job, perhaps Immigration Minister. And if that is true, then this is the last big speech for him, ever, as Foreign Minister.

He did not waste the speech.

He made some really excellent points. The one that I think bears repeating is that, for many on the left and many in the media, the only time that we as New Zealand are doing the right thing internationally is when we are disagreeing with the Americans, such as in our refusal to join the Iraq War in 2003 and our decision to go nuclear-free in the 1980s.

As he points out, it has become part of our national identity to be nuclear-free and to have this David-and-Goliath battle with the big, bad Americans.

But he suggested it is not cost-free. He hinted that he thought it was not actually the right call, especially with the nuclear-free policy.

He points out that we paid for that, and of course we did, because the nuclear-free policy was basically the end of our relationship with the US and ANZUS. That is without mentioning the possible lost opportunity in power generation at a time when we are paying so much for power.

But that is not really the point he is trying to make.

What he is saying is that shouting at the Americans publicly is not the definition of good foreign policy, even though that is the feel-good stuff that the left and the media love.

Actually, being able to choose who we shout at, and whether we do shout, is true independent foreign policy.

It is a point worth remembering when Helen Clark and Don Brash get upset on the subject and say we are cosying up to the Americans again.

As for Winston Peters, he is undoubtedly an annoyingly untrustworthy domestic politician when he is at home. But, for the most part, you cannot disagree: he has done a great job as Foreign Minister, has he not?

LISTEN ABOVE

Now, I think we may have just witnessed Winston Peters’ last major foreign policy speech as Foreign Minister, ever.
It is definitely the last one before the election, and if you follow the breadcrumbs he has been laying recently, it sounds like he does not want to be Foreign Minister next term.
He may want to stay home and do another job, perhaps Immigration Minister. And if that is true, then this is the last big speech for him, ever, as Foreign Minister.
He did not waste the speech.
He made some really excellent points. The one that I think bears repeating is that, for many on the left and many in the media, the only time that we as New Zealand are doing the right thing internationally is when we are disagreeing with the Americans, such as in our refusal to join the Iraq War in 2003 and our decision to go nuclear-free in the 1980s.
As he points out, it has become part of our national identity to be nuclear-free and to have this David-and-Goliath battle with the big, bad Americans.
But he suggested it is not cost-free. He hinted that he thought it was not actually the right call, especially with the nuclear-free policy.
He points out that we paid for that, and of course we did, because the nuclear-free policy was basically the end of our relationship with the US and ANZUS. That is without mentioning the possible lost opportunity in power generation at a time when we are paying so much for power.
But that is not really the point he is trying to make.
What he is saying is that shouting at the Americans publicly is not the definition of good foreign policy, even though that is the feel-good stuff that the left and the media love.
Actually, being able to choose who we shout at, and whether we do shout, is true independent foreign policy.
It is a point worth remembering when Helen Clark and Don Brash get upset on the subject and say we are cosying up to the Americans again.
As for Winston Peters, he is undoubtedly an annoyingly untrustworthy domestic politician when he is at home. But, for the most part, you cannot disagree: he has done a great job as Foreign Minister, has he not?
LISTEN ABOVE

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Did we witness Winston Peters' last speech as Foreign Minister?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/03012a4a-cea7-4328-a3bf-b4cd0078970a/transcript

The Greens say only people - not companies or organisations - should donate to political parties.

The party has launched two bills aiming to cap donations at $30,000 over a three-year cycle and confine donations to individuals.

It would also require a two year stand-down period before Ministers can become lobbyists, to stop what's often described as a 'revolving door'.

Co-leader Marama Davidson says the party wants a register of lobbyists, including unions and environmental organisations.

"Our democracy should work for everyone, not just for the wealthy few. Right now, it's full of rich and powerful people and corporations, they're buying access to influence the Government for their benefit." 

LISTEN ABOVE

The Greens say only people - not companies or organisations - should donate to political parties.
The party has launched two bills aiming to cap donations at $30,000 over a three-year cycle and confine donations to individuals.
It would also require a two year stand-down period before Ministers can become lobbyists, to stop what's often described as a 'revolving door'.
Co-leader Marama Davidson says the party wants a register of lobbyists, including unions and environmental organisations.
"Our democracy should work for everyone, not just for the wealthy few. Right now, it's full of rich and powerful people and corporations, they're buying access to influence the Government for their benefit."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Marama Davidson: Green Party co-leader on the party's proposed reform for political donations

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bd83eefa-6764-4e57-bfb9-b4cd00733b11/transcript

A potential backfire for US President Donald Trump, who last week banned several media outlets from the White House.

CNN, Politico and MS NOW are now suing his administration, and other major TV networks are refusing White House pool coverage of Trump, as he heads to the UN General Assembly in New York.

Reuters Washington correspondent Bo Erickson says losing his audience may make Trump reconsider his stance.

"He loves that interaction, he loves the back-and-forth, he even loves the tough questions because he can get his point across."

LISTEN ABOVE

A potential backfire for US President Donald Trump, who last week banned several media outlets from the White House.
CNN, Politico and MS NOW are now suing his administration, and other major TV networks are refusing White House pool coverage of Trump, as he heads to the UN General Assembly in New York.
Reuters Washington correspondent Bo Erickson says losing his audience may make Trump reconsider his stance.
"He loves that interaction, he loves the back-and-forth, he even loves the tough questions because he can get his point across."
LISTEN ABOVE

Bo Erickson: Reuters reporter on the impacts of Donald Trump's feud with the media

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/93e28539-c33f-4cc9-84c8-b4cd006ca1e2/transcript

Al Dietschin: New Zealand Nurses Organisation delegate on Health NZ reviewing hospital visiting hours expansion

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