Health New Zealand stops restructuring in three areas
From News@63:10/102 to All on Mon Mar 31 12:36:52 2025
9:51am
Health New Zealand says it has stopped planned restructuring in three areas after cost savings were achieved.
Health New Zealand interim chief human resources officer Fiona McCarthy said
in a statement that change processes would stop for the National Public
Health Service and the data analytics and community mental health divisions
of the Planning, Funding and Outcomes Group.
She said it followed voluntary redundancies, early exit processes and
improved efficiency.
As a result the Public Service Association will drop legal proceedings over
the restructure at two of those groups.
The union filed legal proceedings with the Employment Relations Authority
last month saying "the proposed restructures breached the Code of Good Faith for the public health sector, the Employment Relations Act 2000, collective agreements and Te Mauri o Rongo - NZ Health Charter".
In a statement PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzimons said although they were pleased the restructuring had been halted, there was still a loss of
expertise due to failure to fill vacancies and because people chose to take "early exists" when the announcement was made.
"The settlement means the proposed restructures are withdrawn and the current structures remain in place. Staff who are still employed and have agreed
early exits can withdraw from that agreement if they choose to.
"We remain steadfast in our opposition to the damaging cuts that have
happened and remain underway and the steps the Government is taking to privatise our public health system."
Restructure continues in other areas at Health NZ.