Aotearoa has announced a whooping cough epidemic. Photo: 123rf
On the day public health officials announced a whooping cough epidemic, staff at the National Public Health Service were told their jobs were on the line.
Management confirmed on Friday that the "reset" - to cut millions of dollars off its budget - would go ahead before Christmas.
Three weeks of consultation would begin next week.
Te Whatu Ora national clinical director for protection Dr Susan Jack said the restructuring would not affect work to bring the pertussis epidemic under control.
"This is an absolute priority for us, and we have set up national co-ordination so we can make sure we are doing everything.
"Our regions are fantastic, they're managing cases and contacts.
"We've got everything in hand to manage this."
However, one staffer, that RNZ has agreed not to name, said the timing could not be worse.
"It's very concerning on the same day it's announced [there's] a whooping cough epidemic, which we're told could last a year or more."
In an all-staff email, management apologised for the delays in starting the process "especially with the year-end approaching so quickly".
Kaimahi who were impacted or "significantly affected" could expect to be notified on Monday or Tuesday, with one-on-one meetings and team hui to follow.
After a briefing to team leaders on Wednesday, the proposal would be presented to all staff and unions, they were told.
"On Wednesday we expect that you may need to focus on your wellbeing, and we understand this may mean you need to postpone other commitments," the message said.
The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, which represents senior doctors, has been highly critical of the cuts to public health.
In a letter to Health New Zealand Commissioner Lester Levy and its chief executive Fepulea'i Margie Apa earlier this month, the union's executive director Sarah Dalton expressed her horror that $30 million had been slashed from the National Public Health Service budget, that nearly 300 unfilled jobs would disappear, and a further 56 roles may be cut.
"I suggest we should meet so that we can understand what impact you predict these measures will have on our NPHS - and how you can justify these given the requirement that you deliver timely and adequate health services to the people of Aotearoa," she wrote.
Health NZ response
In response, National Public Health Service national director Nick Chamberlain said no change proposal documents had been presented to staff at the service.
"NPHS staff were advised today [Friday] that a proposal will be shared with them next week, and what the consultation process will look like."
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