National has spent the last two years pretending they’ve hired thousands of new nurses but yesterday, they admitted the real number is just 54 FTE across the country, and a decrease in Auckland.

"Hiring just 54 additional nurses in two years, across 86 hospital sites in the whole of New Zealand is outrageous," Labour health spokesperson Dr Ayesha Verrall said.

“Even worse still, the number of FTEs has actually decreased in Auckland and Counties Manukau by 74 and 78 FTEs respectively.

"The reality doesn't match the spin, and yesterday they had to admit it.”

Dr Verrall said the failure was made worse by the fact the workforce is there and willing.

"Hundreds of newly qualified nurses have struggled to find jobs while hospitals jump through hoops to hire the staff they desperately need.

"When hospitals are stopped from hiring, there are fewer nurses on the ward, more pressure on the staff who are left, and patients wait longer for care.

“The hiring freeze is one part of a wider squeeze: deferred hospital maintenance, and rising costs for GP visits, prescriptions, scans, X-rays and ambulances are hitting households when they can least afford it.

"You cannot keep asking people to do more with less. Our nurses and doctors are holding this system together, and they are being stretched to breaking point. Patients are paying the price.

"Labour will make it cheaper to see a doctor with three free GP visits a year and free prescriptions. We will also free up millions more appointments and help establish more GP clinics.

"When you're sick, or someone you love needs help, you shouldn't have to wonder whether there are enough staff or whether you can afford the care.

“The health system should be there when you need it,” said Dr Ayesha Verrall.