Hospital manager outlines his plans

Waikato Hospital group manager Dr Grant Howard says he is committed to improving operational and capacity planning so nursing staff go where patients need them in the hospital.

In his report to the Health Waikato Advisory Committee yesterday (March 25), Dr Howard said last month (in February) the hospital spent more than $3 million more on staff than planned. However, the hospital did not achieve the level of service desired.

“Waikato Hospital has too many staff including nursing staff. This may seem like a controversial statement but it is supported by reasonable evidence. The key initiative in the coming months will be to improve operational and capacity planning for the management and deployment of nursing and other staff for patient benefit,” he told the committee.

Today Dr Howard told staff he was aware many people felt under pressure at work and would take exception to his statement.

“Until we are better organised we will always feel as if we do not have enough staff. I take responsibility for getting us to a better place, but I will need your help to do so.

“We are not considering redundancy or staff reduction. We have adopted an investment and growth strategy, and intend to continue this approach into the next year.”

Dr Howard said he would hold quarterly forums with staff, the first on April 1, where they could share their views.

“I am confident that clinicians will continue to hunt for new and better ways to look after patients.

“In the next decade however I believe that the major improvement in healthcare, when seen from the patients' perspective, will be as a result of organising to deliver services better.”

Dr Howard said Waikato Hospital staff had very good reasons to be proud of what they do.

“We have been here a long time and helped many people. We have committed staff that come to work wanting to do their best.

“However, the performance of Waikato Hospital is not where we would like it to be. We all want to work in a good organisation. We all want to feel that our community can rely on us to look after them when they need it.”

A photo of Dr Grant Howard can be found in our photo library under Key people.

Date: 26 March 2009

Contact:

Mary Anne Gill
Media and Communications Director
Waikato District Health Board
Ph: 07 834 3684
Fax: 07 834 3673
Mobile: 021 705 213