Starship workers describe cancer ward crisis, medication errors and mental toll amid treatment delays

Stretched medical teams at Starship children’s hospital say they are working under “intolerable stress” trying to save the lives of children fighting cancer.

Yesterday, the Herald revealed vital treatments are being delayed up to a week due to staff shortages on ward 27B – the haematology/oncology ward where Kiwi “cancer kids” receive care at the central Auckland hospital.

Health Minister Simeon Brown says no treatments have been suspended and there is no hiring freeze at Health New Zealand.

Three workers who spend their days alongside some of the sickest New Zealand kids have spoken out about the pressures they face.

The reason we are seeing these problems is because of a hiring freeze that has been in place for more than two years.

There has also been a policy of only employing junior nurses.