Southern DHB postponing surgeries and outpatient appointments due to 5 July strike
Southern DHB has begun contacting patients to postpone many elective surgeries and outpatient appointments in advance of the expected strike by New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) nurses, midwives and healthcare workers on Thursday 5 July.
“We are contacting patients whose surgeries or appointments are affected to let them know their appointments are postponed,” says Patrick Ng, Executive Director, Specialist Services.
“While the majority of services impacted are scheduled for the 5th, some appointments and surgeries in the days leading up to that date may also be affected and those patients will be notified as well.”
Depending on the information available to Southern DHB, patients will be contacted by letter, phone call to a landline and/or text message to their mobile. Where possible patients will be offered a new appointment, but in most cases patients will be contacted again in the future with a new appointment date.
The NZNO notified DHBs yesterday that they intend to take further strike action on Thursday 12th July. Patients with elective and outpatient appointments scheduled on or around this time may be contacted by Southern DHB representatives towards the end of next week if the dispute is not resolved before then.
Dunedin and Southland hospitals will continue to provide essential and urgent services including emergency departments, acute surgery, intensive care, cancer treatments, maternity services, renal dialysis patient retrievals, and acute wards at reduced capacity.
Lakes District Hospital will provide ED services for essential and urgent cases. Rural hospitals in Gore, Balclutha, Oamaru, Ranfurly, and Clyde, as well as general practices and most other health services across the district will not be directly affected by the strike action.
“The safety and health of our patients is at the forefront of our planning and patients are reminded that emergency care will still be available,” Mr Ng says. “NZNO and SDHB have worked together to agree to staffing for Life Preserving Services and, even though these are difficult circumstances, the engagement on both sides has been very productive and the cooperative approach of all involved is greatly appreciated.
“We are sorry for the inconvenience this will cause many of our patients and their whānau.”
Emergency services will be operating during the strike period and people should still seek medical treatment or go to ED if the matter is urgent. They can call 111 for emergencies.
For non-urgent inquiries, patients should contact their general practice, urgent doctors (03 479 2900 in Dunedin) or call Healthline 0800 611 116.