The online petition, Halt the Oamaru Hospital Proposal was started by the Waitaki Community Hospital Action Group on its Facebook page on March 20. As of yesterday morning, it had been signed by 504 people.
In February, the Otago Daily Times obtained a copy of a confidential "proposal for change" document distributed to staff that included a proposed staffing restructuring and the reconfiguration of the hospital's layout.
"One of Oamaru's best features is its incredible community support. And the petition below is absolutely worth supporting - take time to sign it now," a post accompanying the petition said.
"Here at WCHAG, we're backing the staff at Oamaru Hospital, we're getting behind future-proofing services and we're focused on supporting positive changes to infrastructure.
"We're on the receiving end of stories from the nursing, Allied Health and support staff that are pretty tough to hear and we want them to know we hear your frustrations."
Waitaki Community Hospital Action Group chairwoman Dr Janice Clayton was happy with the public response to the ongoing petition and said it raised issues the group wanted to see addressed.
"A petition was released on the 20th of March to the public in response to the growing concerns about the effect of the proposal to disestablish leadership roles, nursing positions, allied FTE, orderlies and administration staff. A significant staffing group resigned prior to the consultation period ending, leaving the hospital with gaps in their nursing and medical roster.
"The petition calls for management to halt the restructure pending constructive consultation with staff and community stakeholders, including the citizens of Waitaki. We believe there are three key areas that need closer examination. They are safer staffing, securing services and supporting infrastructure. We do not think the proposal as it stands can deliver on these areas with the current funding."
The group describes itself as an "outcomes-focused independent action group" made up of 20 members, some with former ties to the hospital and other health services.
