Southern DHB preparing for strike
Southern DHB has begun implementing contingency plans to ensure emergency and life-preserving services are available during a nationwide strike by NZNO nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants. Planners and clinical teams will also be notifying patients whose appointments and treatments are being rescheduled due to the industrial action.
New Zealand Nurses Organisation on Wednesday issued notice of a full withdrawal of labour for 24 hours from 7am on 5 July. Notice for a second 24 hour strike from 7am on 12 July is expected next week. All 20 DHBs are continuing to work with the NZNO, seeking urgent mediation to try and find a settlement and prevent strike action and disruption to services.
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 continue to provide an emergency department service 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, are not directly affected by the strike action as their staff are not part of the national collective.
“If the strikes do proceed, we regret that there will be significant impact and disruption to hospital services, particularly outpatients’ clinics and elective surgeries,” says Chris Fleming, Chief Executive, Southern DHB. “The safety of patients and staff remains our priority.”
Contingency planning staff are working to reduce hospital stays on the days of the strike, which will include postponing some services and clinics prior to the strike dates to minimise the number of patients in hospital during the strike.
Families and whānau are encouraged to provide support to anyone who needs to be in hospital over the strike period.
Patients whose appointments or treatments are postponed due to the industrial action will be contacted directly by phone or letter by Southern DHB staff towards the end of next week.
“Nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants are the heart of healthcare services. Along with the other DHBs, we remain committed to negotiating in good faith with NZNO to find a resolution that works for all parties,” Mr Fleming said. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding at this time and we will do our best to communicate to patients and their whānau and families in as timely a manner as we can.”
Emergency services will be operating during the strike period and people should 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).