261 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

261 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: How many of the additional 200 security personnel funded by the $5.7 million initiative to increase security in hospitals are currently in place?

Hon Dr Shane Reti: I am advised that security staff at emergency departments are placed at entrances, carparks, and on patrol with a primary focus of de-escalating confrontational behaviour and preventing violence towards staff, patients, and visitors. As at 5 Feb 2024, of the additional 200 staff (95 FTE) hired, 60 FTE remain on duty. This is because some locations, based on need, only needed additional security staff for the busier Christmas-New Year period. Prior to the additional staff being hired, approximately 1,000 security staff were already working in hospitals throughout New Zealand.