She believed parents would be shocked by the development.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re increasing the risk of complications and death from cancers.\u201d <\/p>\n
A statement this morning from Health Minister Simeon Brown\u2019s office said claims cancer treatments had been suspended were wrong and \u201cdistressing\u201d for parents. <\/p>\n
\u201cA handful of chemotherapy sessions have been delayed by a few days, and never by more than seven.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo bone marrow transplants have been moved slightly from their original dates. This happens from time to time even when Starship is fully staffed, and both are still going ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two patients from outside of Auckland had also been transferred to Christchurch for assessment, \u201cwhich is how New Zealand\u2019s national child cancer network is designed to work\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the hospital managing demand and winter pressures as usual,\u201d the statement said. \u201cClinical teams have been closely involved throughout in deciding how best to manage this.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Starship nursing vacancies were the result of natural attrition, with vacancies from July either filled or recruited. There would be no further vacancies by December or January.<\/p>\n
\u201cPaediatric oncology is highly specialised work, so these roles need nurses with specific skills and experience. Graduate nurses are a valued part of the workforce, but they cannot always simply be placed into complex specialist roles.\u201d<\/p>\n
The statement claimed there was no hiring freeze at Health New Zealand.<\/p>\n
\u2018Decisions not made lightly\u2019<\/p>\n
In a statement last night, Health New Zealand confirmed that due to nursing shortages and high demand in the paediatric haematology\/oncology service, some treatments had been \u201crescheduled\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cThese decisions are not made lightly and are based on clinical need,\u201d Starship director medical and community, Dr Greg Williams, said.<\/p>\n
\u201cPatient safety and high-quality care is always our highest priority.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to reassure parents and families that their children will get the clinical care and support they need.\u201d <\/p>\n
The nurse spoke to the Herald to alert the public but asked not to be named to protect her job.<\/p>\n
She said the severe staffing shortage was not simply related to the winter flu spike. It had been critical \u201call of this year\u201d. <\/p>\n
\u201cOver the last year with budget constraints, they\u2019ve not hired new nurses. Anytime a nurse left, they weren\u2019t replaced.\u201d <\/p>\n
She said the hospital had lost a lot of senior nurses along with their experience.<\/p>\n
She was unsure when the postponement of chemo and bone marrow transplants took effect or how many patients were affected – questions the Herald has put to Health New Zealand.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ll be lots of other things postponed. Orthopaedics I\u2019m sure will have a lot. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s so wrong. We shouldn\u2019t not be able to hire staff and we shouldn\u2019t be placing patients at risk by not having staff.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked how widely known the postponement measures were, she replied: \u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s widely known because I think it would have got out to the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s ridiculous that it\u2019s even happening. You can delay other things without impacting a child\u2019s outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Starship children’s hospital in Auckland is home to the national child cancer unit. Photo \/ Michael Craig<\/p>\n
Williams said the hospital was \u201ctotally dedicated\u201d to caring for and treating some of New Zealand\u2019s most unwell children, and committed to patient safety. <\/p>\n
\u201cStarship Hospital\u2019s paediatric haematology\/oncology service is managing nursing staff shortages at a time of high demand and clinical complexity. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs a result of these shortages, we have had to reschedule some treatments, to ensure our services can still be delivered safely, within capacity, while remaining within reasonable timeframes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Williams said Starship was recruiting experienced and new graduate nurses as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are supporting the service with staffing from across Starship and Auckland City Hospital, and are also working closely with the Child Haematology and Oncology Centre in Christchurch. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe recognise and greatly value the extraordinary commitment and contribution of our teams who come to work each day to care for kids and their families.\u201d<\/p>\n
Child Cancer Foundation responds<\/p>\n
Child Cancer Foundation chief executive Monica Briggs said: \u201cOur hearts are with every child with cancer and their wh\u0101nau who may be feeling anxious in light of this news. We recognise how incredibly difficult the childhood cancer journey is, even in the best of circumstances and how deeply unsettling any uncertainty around treatment can be for families.\u201d<\/p>\n
Briggs said the foundation recognised the extraordinary work of the healthcare professionals who cared for these children and families, in increasingly challenging circumstances.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile clinical decisions and hospital operations sit with health providers, our commitment to families remains unwavering. We will continue to provide practical and emotional support – drawing our families closer at this time.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur purpose has always been to ensure no family faces childhood cancer alone. Now, more than ever, we want families to know that we are here, we care deeply, and we will continue walking alongside them every step of the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Nursing staffing analysis<\/p>\n