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Protesters gather outside of the Canterbury Health Board corporate office on 20 August. Photo: RNZ / Katie Todd
The outgoing Director of Nursing at Canterbury District Health Board speaks out about her departure, and the looming $16 million of funding cuts for nurses.
In its annual plan the DHB will slash $13 million in nursing staff costs, and will reduce by two thirds the jobs previously available for newly qualified nurses - which equates to another $3.5 million.
Other cuts will come for senior medical staff and community services.
In total nearly $57 million of savings across the DHB have been agreed to get a $180 million deficit down, but the Crown Monitor Lester Levy insists there will be no reduction in services.
Mary Gordon - who is also responsible for the move to the new Christchurch hospital - is one of seven senior executives who have resigned in the space of a few weeks, resulting in public protests.
Kathryn also talks with the New Zealand Nurses Organisation's Kate Weston.