The nurses organisation says it's unacceptable Christchurch Hospital management's asked families to help with patients, due to understaffing

A memo seen by Newstalk ZB sent to staff on June 22 - requests managers to ask if family members could sit with patients.

New Zealand Nurses Organisation delegate Al Dietschin says health care assistants normally do such tasks - and staff shortages are ongoing because of underfunding and hiring freezes.

He says assistants always appreciate families helping - but it's unacceptable to expect them to take on the role of trained staff.