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This article was first published in Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealand, July 2016. Re-posted with permission. |
"It was difficult deciding to stand again, because of the time needed for my NZNO role, but I have had plenty of offers of help for my election campaign," Brookes said. "I also see a strong synergy between serving as NZNO president and as a DHB board member. Because of amendments to the law under this Government, board members are now even more answerable to the Minister of Health. However, morally, if elected, I believe I will be answerable to our DHB residents. How this will work in practice, I do not know, but it is certainly something I want to try to do."
Brookes' goal is to be part of a like-minded team of elected members. "I can't make changes on my own." He has already begun discussions with current board member Sue Kedgley. Council of Trade Unions' senior policy analyst and programme manager Eileen Brown is also standing for election at CCDHB.
NZNO's board of directors has endorsed Brookes' nomination, as it did in the 2013 elections.
Brookes has worked for 13 years in CCDHB's acute mental health unit. He still works casual shifts to maintain his practising certificate. Although now employed by NZNO (by request, he is on a staff nurse's salary, rather than the full presidential salary), he maintains special staff status at the DHB.
Election platform
His election platform includes a focus on illness prevention and community care ("these are so often the casualties of health cuts"), the reversal of the decline in health funding, more money for frontline services rather than management pay rises, bringing "care" back into aged care and whanau ora for all.
Waitemata DHB clinical nurse specialist Monina Gesmundo is also standing for election, under a Labour Party ticket. Her community involvement and advocacy for health and human rights has motivated her decision to stand this year, she said.
Nominations for DHB elections opened this month and close on August 12. Voting begins on September 16.