Hawke’s Bay Hospital’s anaesthetic technicians, who are members of the Association of Professionals and Executive Employee Inc (APEX), have voted to strike for 24 hours from 7am 24 October until 7am 25 October.

As a result of the strike action, 15 elective surgeries that required a general anaesthetic, planned for the day of the strike, would be postponed. Only life preserving operations will go ahead.

Anaesthetic technicians are an integral part of operating theatre teams and any operation, requiring a general anaesthetic, must have a technician present.

Patients directly affected have been contacted.

Chief executive Dr Kevin Snee said he apologised to patients whose operations had been deferred and said those operations would be rebooked as soon as practically possible.

Patients who had surgery planned during the strike period and were unsure of their situation could call Hawke’s Bay Hospital on (06) 878- 8109 for more information.

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