Emergency Department Rosters

The NZRDA ED Rosters Project

The DHBs (now Te Whatu Ora) acknowledged during MECA (now SECA) bargaining 2021 that there was evidence of demand pressures on Emergency Departments across New Zealand, “with potential delays in care and treatment of patients and increased workload intensity for ED staff.”

As part of settlement of the MECA, the DHBs and RDA committed to reviewing the RMO staffing and rostering in every ED prior to 1 July 2022 relative to patterns of patient presentations/demand.

The NZRDA ED Rosters Survey

In October and November 2021 we conducted a survey of NZRDA members who had worked on an ED roster in the last 12 months. Responses from the survey are below.

67%

Disagree that their ED is sufficiently staffed with RMOs to cater to current patient numbers.
63%

Said there were on average more than 10 ED patients waiting to be seen when they arrived to begin a night shift.
57%

Working in ED always or usually includes lengthy patient wait times or ramping.
84%

Said there are no RMOs available for short notice leave relief.
49%

Always or usually have issues with getting leave or cover for absent RMOs.
26%

Reported RMOs in ED are not being paid for relieving duties.
78%

Said there was not adequate mental health patient-oriented training and support.
44%

Disagreed or were neutral to the statement "on-call surgical staff are readily available and responsive".
93%

Agreed there was appropriate supervision and support from SMOs.
72%

Said they always or usually got MECA protected training time.