New Zealand nurses are continuing their fight to close the health gap on the eve of International Nurses Day.

This year’s theme Closing the Gap – increasing access and equality – has taken on new meaning after a New Zealand doctor called for emergency departments to turn away people with non-urgent conditions.

Hospitals’ advisory committee member Dr Branko Sijnja said the Southern District Health Board may "need to have the guts to turn them away" in a bid to decrease emergency department waiting times at Dunedin Hospital.

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation has attacked Dr Sijnja’s comments.

NZNO professional nursing advisor Suzanne Rolls said it was unsafe and unethical to send patients away from emergency departments untreated.

"There are many reasons why people present at the emergency department," she said.

"As nurses, we are there to provide healthcare to patients where and when they need it.

"We will strenuously resist any move that decreases access or equity to healthcare.

"Nurses have both a professional and ethical responsibility to address health inequities by advocating for accessible, affordable, culturally appropriate health care, regardless of ethnicity, income, education or location.

"It is disheartening to hear other health professionals espousing the opposite view."

As nurses across the globe celebrate May 12, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, NZNO president Nano Tunnicliff said the links between poverty and ill health remain fundamental issues for nurses.

"Nurses have a professional and ethical responsibility to address health inequities and NZNO believes closing the gaps must be a priority for nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research," she said.