Media Release

13 September 2007

Nurses' Pay Increase Welcome - NZ First

The pay agreement reached by the district health boards and the nurses’ union is good news for nurses and the community says New Zealand First health spokesperson Barbara Stewart.

“It has become increasingly obvious that health systems worldwide cannot function without sufficient numbers of competent nurses.

“Advances in medicine also mean there is increased pressure on nurses to keep up with new technology. Graduating can be just the first step in an ongoing process of training and education.

“While the comment by one chairman that the deal had massive implications is understandable, as district health boards have to fund the pay increase, a shortage of nurses would have massive implications for the community at large.

"This pay increase will give our nurses the remuneration they deserve for the work they do,” said Mrs Stewart.

ENDS

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