Earlier this year, Te Whatu Ora estimated that the health system was 4800 nurses short, despite a 23 percent jump in employment.

Nurses have been voting for strike action all year- amid frustration with the agency for not addressing concerns around safer staffing practices, nurse-to-patient ratios and health and safety. 

NZNO members are putting Te Whatu Ora on notice in order to increase funding to the health sector and fix the nursing shortage. 

Lower Hutt nurse and NZNO delegate Nathan Clarke says Hutt Hospital's Emergency Department is under 'incredible pressure' in current conditions. 

"The wards are under incredible pressure, and it's really indicative of the issues that not only our hospital, but all the hospitals across the country are facing."

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