20 Feb 2012

Nurses jobs safe, says DHB head

10:04 am on 20 February 2012

The chief executive of Hawke's Bay District Health Board says there are no plans to cut nursing services, despite a health workers' union claim to the contrary.

The Nurses Organisation says it has a memo informing it to expect a staff reduction of 35 because of financial constraints.

DHB chief executive Kevin Snee says a surplus of $2 million is forecast this year and a $3 million surplus is predicted next year.

Mr Snee told Morning Report the board is looking a number of ways to make savings, so new projects can get off the ground.

He says no nursing jobs will be lost but does not rule out a cut in work hours.

"I think we'll consider all possiblities to make sure our resources are used appropriately," he said.

Mr Snee says the focus is improving the quality of patient care and making sure more patients are treated, more quickly.