Disputes over roster restructures

Labelled a premium option for aged care and retirement living, Bridge Street’s Green Gables is in for a proposed workplace shake-up by its owner Oceania Healthcare.

The nationwide retirement village operator’s proposal, which was open to feedback from 7 January to 10 February, could see nurse and healthcare assistant’s working hours dialled back.

Oceania Healthcare says following a recent review, it identified the need to adjust rosters at some of its more than 35 villages to ensure a fair and effective distribution of registered nurse and healthcare assistant’s shifts to maintain safe staffing levels and residential care.

However, Nelson’s New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) organiser Jacki Nixey says the group, who represents nurses, was perturbed by the effects the rolling roster could have on the 46 Green Gables residents’ well-being.

She says of the nine permanent registered nurses and 18 permanent healthcare assistants, about 20 were NZNO members.

“We are concerned these changes put the health and safety of residents at risk, as our members will have less time to spend with them. This will also affect the quality of care they are able to provide,” she says.

“Both nurses and caregivers have had significant cuts to their hours, some losing up to 16 hours a fortnight.

“New rosters are four days on, two days off. This roster gives little flexibility for a work-life balance.”

Oceania Healthcare “strongly refutes” suggestions the changes will compromise residents’ health and safety.

“We have conducted detailed assessments to ensure the updated roster maintains appropriate staff-to-resident ratios and continues to meet or exceed the required Te Whatu Ora guidelines,” it says.

“We remain fully committed to safe staffing, high-quality care, and supporting our team through this transition. As with any operational change, we will continue to monitor its impact post-implementation and remain open to staff and resident feedback to ensure care quality and workplace balance are maintained.”

Oceania Healthcare says it has received no formal concerns raised by residents or their families to date. The reshuffle commences on 24 February.

Green Gables declined to comment directly when Nelson Weekly approached its staff at a NZNO-hosted picket outside the care centre and village on 4 February.