There's fears St John's cutting of community programmes will put more pressure on health workers.

The organisation's new community health direction will see the Therapy Pets and Hospital Volunteers and Community Carers programmes wrap up by next June.

NZNO President Anne Daniels says logic suggests these cuts have been made due to declining funding.

"Even though these volunteers don't get paid, there is an infrastructure cost. And like everybody these days, funding is less than it should be - and I suspect that's the same for St John. But I can't say, hand on heart, that I know that for a fact."

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There's fears St John's cutting of community programmes will put more pressure on health workers.
The organisation's new community health direction will see the Therapy Pets and Hospital Volunteers and Community Carers programmes wrap up by next June.
NZNO President Anne Daniels says logic suggests these cuts have been made due to declining funding.
"Even though these volunteers don't get paid, there is an infrastructure cost. And like everybody these days, funding is less than it should be - and I suspect that's the same for St John. But I can't say, hand on heart, that I know that for a fact."
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

Anne Daniels: NZNO President on St John's plan to axe multiple volunteer programmes by next June

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/dd39234a-2956-47ae-af6d-b3320064f80c/transcript