A series of accidents at Mt. Kofuji in the North Island led to a safety warning issued by the police today.
Over the weekend, three different accidents occurred in 24 hours on Mt Taranaki Hill in the North Island, resulting in five people needing rescue.
This prompted the police to warn hikers to be more careful.
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There were 3 accidents in a row, and someone fell 250 meters
The first distress call was around 4 a.m. on Saturday.
The police were notified that "3 people were trapped on the mountain at an altitude of 2,300 meters. Time is of the essence and we have to get to them as soon as possible, because the temperature is below zero and the wind speed reaches 40-50 km/h. ”
When the Taranaki rescue helicopter and the alpine cliff rescue team arrived, one of them was already suffering from hypothermia.
The three people, assisted by rescuers, walked to a nearby hut, where the search and rescue team waited to take them down the mountain for medical treatment.
Later, "at about 12 noon, while the first rescue was still underway, the police were alerted that a locator beacon had been activated near the summit. ”
It turned out that someone fell from a height of about 250 meters and injured his leg.
"As the Taranaki Search and Rescue Team is still dealing with the first incident, the Whanganui/National Park Search and Rescue Team and the Ruapehu Alpine Cliff Rescue Team were called in to assist in the second incident.
"The Ruapehu Alpine Cliff Rescue Team managed to rescue the man, who was taken by helicopter to a nearby hut."
The man was subsequently taken to hospital.
But it wasn't over yet, and when the Taranaki Alpine Cliff Rescue Team came down from the mountain, they met another group of people who were "in trouble".
"They weren't fully prepared for the route and our team helped them walk down the mountain.
"While we are pleased to have responded quickly and helped these five people get home safely, these incidents remind the public that this mountain is a dangerous place."
Police today reminded the public that any plan for a day trip could turn into an overnight stay due to problems.
"Climbing on Mount Taranaki requires experience, knowledge and the right and correct equipment. Anyone planning an outdoor adventure needs to be prepared for the worst. ”
Police said distress beacons can be rented from a number of Department of Conservation visitor centres and outdoor hiking shops for as little as $10.
"If you buy a beacon, make sure to register on the beacons.org.nz."
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Non-English languages are prohibited at Waikato Hospital
The Waikato Hospital Memorandum prohibits the use of any non-English language, prompting a backlash from nurses.
A memo sent to all nursing staff at the Waikato Public Hospital on Friday said there were concerns about the use of other languages and that the clinical use of English was safer for treatment.
A doctor who saw the memo said it was clearly aimed at nurses in India, the Philippines and Pacific island countries.
The nurses are "heroes" in health care, but are now victims, the doctor said.
The memo seems to only apply to the Waikato region.
Previously, the Ministry of Health hired thousands of additional nurses from the Asian region to make up for the manpower shortage, resulting in budget overruns of hundreds of millions.
Just a few days ago, media reported that a patient at North Shore Hospital had asked not to receive care from any Asian medical staff — a request that was initially approved by management, causing upset and complaints from employees.
The public hospital memo that came to light this time also addresses the use of the Māori language in clinical practice.
"Hospital nursing staff have expressed concerns about the use of a variety of colloquialisms in clinical settings," the memo said. It's time to remind everyone that English is the spoken language in a clinical setting. ”
The memo requires that every nurse must have both spoken and written English skills.
"Using one language at all times reduces the likelihood of missed care, misunderstandings, and enhances safe teamwork."
In "other settings" – as long as no decisions are made, treatment is not evaluated – Māori and/or sign language "may be used," the memo said.
"However, in a clinical setting, spoken and written English supports clinical safety, so compliance with this is expected."
A doctor at the Waikato Hospital said it was a "rather worrying ('frankly: disgusting') email notification".
"We all know that between the lines, this is mainly for the most vulnerable employees (nurses in India, the Philippines and the Pacific Islands), who sometimes speak words in their own language under extreme pressure.
"They were supposed to be treated as heroes in our healthcare system, but they had to deal with this kind of nonsense from some apparently useless TWO managers.
"It's frankly offensive, and it seems that the acceptance of multiculturalism in Te Whatu Ora (Ministry of Health) is like that."
Hundreds, if not thousands, of international nurses have recently joined New Zealand's workforce.
However, there are many more nurses recruited from overseas who are still unemployed, and they have spent between NZ$30,000 and NZ$50,000 to come here to take aptitude assessments, take exams and prove English proficiency in order to obtain a nurse's license.
India and the Philippines have officially warned nurses not to come to New Zealand if they do not have a confirmed job.