The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) is very concerned by the changes the Ministry of Health has signalled it will be making.

"Reduction in backroom staff impacts on the frontline workforce. When nurses are needed to spend time doing the work of administrators, patient care will suffer," NZNO President, Nano Tunnicliff said.

"We are also very concerned that the role of chief nurse may be downgraded within the Ministry - what does this decision mean for the value of nursing and the care of patients? NZNO will continue to articulate nursing concerns and support nurses even if the Ministry of Health chooses to devalue the importance of nursing within its organisation," said Tunnicliff.

"The rushed and inappropriate consultation process means that the decision making process can only be compromised," said Tunnicliff.