AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Health New Zealand has acknowledged that nurses working in mental health and addiction services are under significant pressure, but emphasizes that only a minority of cases involve violence.
A survey conducted by the Nurses Organisation and released on Wednesday revealed that 76 percent of mental health nurses have faced physical threats, and over 40 percent have been assaulted within the past year. The union attributes the rising violence against staff and patients to systemic pressures, including roster gaps and unsustainable workloads.
Andrew Slater, Te Whatu Ora’s Chief People Officer, admitted that the agency is aware of the challenging environment these nurses operate in. “Shortages in specialities such as mental health and addiction are a long-standing issue, not unique to New Zealand. Many comparable countries face similar challenges,” he said.
Health New Zealand is actively working on a comprehensive program to address these issues. The initiatives aim to both expand and enhance the skills of the current mental health and addiction workforce, while also developing new workforce strategies to better support individuals with mental health and addiction needs.
Slater acknowledged the demanding nature of mental health nursing but stressed the importance of safety in the workplace. “People have a right to feel safe in their work environment. It’s important to recognize that the vast majority of interactions our staff have with patients and their whānau are kind and respectful. Aggression is only experienced in a minority of cases,” he stated.
To address these safety concerns, all staff receive training in de-escalation techniques and practices, aimed at mitigating potential violence and ensuring a safer work environment for everyone involved.
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