Photo: ODT filesA recently-formed action group has organised a picket outside Oamaru Hospital for today in support of the staff potentially impacted by a proposed staffing restructure at the hospital. Waitaki Community Hospital Action Group chairwoman Janice Clayton confirmed the group had organised a picket and planned to meet at the Takaro Park side of the hospital at 11.45am, before the peaceful, hour-long picket started at 12pm. Mrs Clayton said its purpose was to "support our hospital staff who have been placed under extreme duress due to the Waitaki District Health Services Ltd restructure proposal". "Staff support will be the sole focus of the picket," she said. The 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.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 28, 2019 15:53 UTC