Six Pahīatua Medical Centre staff reach final day after safety-related resignations

Six staff at Pahīatua Medical Centre have reached their final day of work after resigning over conditions they described as overwhelming workloads and a growing safety crisis.

Seven staff, including a doctor and nurses, submitted resignations last month. They said they would not return if OmniHealth continued to operate the centre.

The doctor will continue working until next month.

Almost 5,000 patients depend on Pahīatua Medical Centre in the Tararua district, where staff resigned amid concerns about extreme workloads and patient safety.

Health New Zealand has launched a review of clinics owned by Tararua Health Group. That group is owned by OmniHealth, a network of about 17 practices around the country.

Registered nurse Mark Emmerson, who is finishing work today, described a rollercoaster of emotions for the staff who had resigned.

Emmerson said he hoped a community organisation would step up and manage the centre.