Four out of five workers said that cuts and restructuring over the last year had damaged the services they delivered.

• 81% say cuts have damaged health services

• 86% say cuts will make it harder for people to get healthcare

• 72% agree health is underfunded

The survey reflects the findings of PSI’s global health worker survey which found half of health staff are on the verge of quitting and one in three health workers have seen patients die due to a lack of adequate staff.

Examples of the impacts of the cuts quoted in the comprehensive PSA Report Health care in crisis included:

• Hiring restrictions mean that we are only able to run our national paediatric clinic at half capacity. This directly impacts children's access to timely healthcare.

• Cancer patients are not getting adequate diagnosis to help guide their drug regimen.

• We now have nurses and social workers covering receptionist duties which takes them away from clinical duties.

“Make no mistake this report makes clear that health is in crisis and Government policies are to blame. We now have stark evidence from health workers who know the system best that funding cuts and the hiring freeze are having a direct impact on services," said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.

“Enough is enough – health workers say the Government must lift the hiring freeze, fill vacancies urgently and work with unions, and workers to build and fund a health system that provides the care patients need.”