Letters: Health NZ v nurses – why can’t we get a straight answer on staffing levels?

Health disconnect a major concern The ongoing disconnect between the statements of frontline nurses and Health NZ management about staffing levels and recruitment is a real concern. In replacing the board of Health NZ with commissioner Lester Levy, the coalition Government has appointed a turnaround manager to deal with the aftermath of a disastrous restructure by the previous Government. While a corporate turnaround is somewhat different to that of a national health organisation, there are several common themes.

Levy would do well to consider the approach of legendary turnaround manager Al Dunlap, who restructured many bloated US corporations in the 1990s. Known as Chainsaw Al, his mantra was “cut, cut and cut again”. But in doing so, he also said “never cut an hourly worker before you deal with the headquarters staff”.



William Black, Remuera..