19994 (2026). Ingrid Leary to the Minister of Health

Written Question

Published date: 11 Jun 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	19994 (2026)
Question asked:	21 May 2026
Member asking:	Ingrid Leary
Portfolio:	Minister of Health
Minister replying:	Hon Simeon Brown
Answer received:	06 Jun 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_19994_2026
Document guid:	61fc0066-465d-4674-b82a-cf857b8d2e14

19994 (2026). Ingrid Leary to the Minister of Health: What assessment, if any, has Health NZ undertaken regarding the impact of ongoing nursing vacancies and restricted recruitment on patient safety incidents?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that all Health New Zealand districts and regions actively monitor and assess a range of quality and safety metrics relating to patient and staff safety and wellbeing, including the CCDM programme of work which assesses staff numbers available for each shift. I am further advised that Health New Zealand is not restricting nurse recruitment. That's why, since coming to Government, around 2000 additional nurses have joined the health system.