Members of the NZNO (nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants) have voted to strike from 11am until 7pm on Wednesday 9 June. Southern DHB is planning for the strike. Below is some useful information.
Rescheduling surgeries/procedures and outpatient appointments
If you have an outpatient appointment or planned procedure with the Southern DHB and it is affected by the strike action, you will be contacted by phone and/or letter by a member of the Southern DHB team. We apologise for any inconvenience this will cause and we will work to reschedule as soon as possible.
Care during the strike
During the strike our hospitals in Dunedin, Southland and Queenstown remain open for urgent and essential care.
If you need urgent care during the strike period please go to the Emergency Department or dial 111. If it’s not an emergency, please seek advice from your pharmacist, GP, urgent doctor (03 479 200 in Dunedin) or call Healthline 0800 611 116.
What can you do to help?
Staffing levels at Southern DHB Hospitals will be significantly reduced during the strike. If you or your loved one is in hospital is in hospital at this time, we would appreciate help from family and whānau with non-clinical tasks such as making patients more comfortable in their bed or chair and ensuring their call bell is in reach.
Visiting hours during the strike
Visiting hours will not be observed to enable family to be present throughout this period.
Other health services
Rural hospitals in Gore, Balclutha, Oamaru, Ranfurly, and Dunstan, as well as general practices and most other health services across the district are not directly affected by the strike action.