The Waitaki Community Hospital Action Group described itself as an ``outcomes-focused independent action group'' made up of 20 members, some who formerly had ties to the hospital and other health services.
Group chairwoman Dr Janice Clayton, who worked at the hospital for about two years as nursing manager, said the group was formed to address concerns that had been expressed by the public that Waitaki District Health Services Ltd, the Waitaki District Council-controlled company that owns and operates the hospital, was not using appropriate processes and procedures to support staff as part of its proposed staffing restructure.
Last week, the Otago Daily Times obtained a copy of the confidential ``proposal of change'' document distributed to staff that included proposed staffing restructuring and the reconfiguration of the hospital's layout to increase efficiency.
The group had sent a letter to Ms Kibble and Waitaki District Health Service board chairman Chris Swann outlining its concerns, which included safety if some roles were disestablished; the potential for limited service delivery under the hospital's Southern District Health Board contract; a potential reduction in non-DHB funding; the disestablishment of some nursing roles and support staff; the removal of nurse education programmes and the potential loss of skilled staff.
The group had also written to Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher and SDHB commissioner Kathy Grant.
Mrs Clayton said the group believed the proposal would impact on the sustainability of the hospital.
"We are deeply concerned that the proposed staffing changes are unprecedented, without merit and will put many in the community at risk, now and into the future. With the dramatic changes proposed, we would expect the consultation process to involve all stakeholders in the hospital, including staff, community and governing bodies.''
A staff consultation period on the proposal closes on March 11.
Waitaki District Health Services chief executive Ruth Kibble previously stated all employment-related matters would remain confidential.
Other plans would be discussed at a series of public meetings next month.
She defended how the company had gone about the development of the proposal in relation to the proposed restructure.
"WDHSL has taken professional advice on the process so we get it right and have as much input from staff and unions as we go through the process.
"We have engaged and are working well with our unions. With the PSA we are working to co-design roles in administration and have an agreement to work in partnership with NZNO regarding the building of the nursing rosters.
"In addition, we have engaged an external senior Human Resources adviser to provide support to staff and management and are working with the Otago Southland Employers Association.''
Ms Kibble said the company shared the same interests as the group, ``to ensure that WDHSL deliver excellent care, provide safe levels of staffing, the appropriate skill mix of staff and ongoing professional development''.
"We have staff with varying skills, training, education, experience working in our hospital, covering activities such as moving a patient to administering medication. As such, we need to ensure we have staff with the right skills working in the right places.
"Furthermore, as this group is aware, we historically have had difficulty with staff recruitment. Through working to achieve a stable base, we seek to improve working conditions for staff which will aid this.
"This stable base will also provide us the right model to expand our service offering.''
Mrs Clayton said the group would meet regularly to discuss the proposal.
