Story perspectives
Nursing shortages delay Starship chemotherapy up to seven days
By Drooid · · How we work
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Story summary
- Starship Children’s Hospital delayed several chemotherapy sessions for up to seven days because of nursing shortages.
- Health Minister Simeon Brown asked Health NZ chief executive Dale Bramley for an explanation.
- 85% of August nursing shifts were understaffed, up from 18% in January.
- A nurse warned that treatment delays increase risk of cancer complications and death.
- Tertiary Education Commission limited nursing enrolments by about 700 places despite 30% growth.