The Health Minister's being demanded to apologise after revelations emerged he signed off on a savings strategy to control recruitment across the sector.

Documents obtained by the PSA reveal Health New Zealand bosses briefed Simeon Brown on its plan for last year's Budget, aimed at strongly controlling hiring.

Close to 80 percent of health workers surveyed by the union claim their team had to wait more than a month before approval came to fill vacancy.

PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons says she wants Health Minister Simeon Brown to make a stronger commitment. 

"I've read very carefully the comments he's made in the media today, and he has not said - I give a green light for every hospital to advertise every clinical vacancy, when it comes up."

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