Care around the clock to continue throughout strike

25 February 2019

For immediate release

Care around the clock to continue throughout junior doctors’ strike

To be attributed to: Michael Frampton, Chief People Officer, Canterbury DHB

With the New Zealand Resident Doctors’ Association 48-hour strike action starting tomorrow at 8am, Canterbury District Health Board is reminding people that they can help take the pressure off emergency services by always making their General Practice team the first port of call for their healthcare needs.

The 48 hour junior doctors’ strike runs from 8am tomorrow, Tuesday 26 February until 8am on Thursday 28 February.

The Emergency Department at Christchurch Hospital will continue to provide emergency care during the strike, and you shouldn’t hesitate to dial 111 in a life-threatening emergency. However, for most other healthcare you should always call your own general practice team first. Save their phone number in your mobile phone so you can easily access free health advice after hours.

When you call your general practice after hours, follow the instructions on their voicemail and a team of registered nurses will be ready to take your call – any time of day or night. They provide free health advice. If you need to be seen urgently, they can tell you what to do and where to go.

You can meet some of the #carearoundtheclock nursing team and learn more about the service they provide here.

If you need to visit a general practice after hours, you can visit one of these Urgent Care practices:

• The 24 Hour Surgery – 401 Madras Street. Phone (+64) 3 365 7777
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• Moorhouse Medical – 3 Pilgrim Place, open 8am – 8pm daily. Phone (+64) 3 365 7900
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• Riccarton Clinic – 6 Yaldhurst Road, open 8am – 8pm daily. Phone (+64) 3 343 3661

For trusted health advice, you can also visit our HealthInfo website or visit your community pharmacy for health advice.

HealthInfo is a health information website that has information specific to Canterbury. It is written and approved by local doctors, practice nurses, hospital clinicians, and other healthcare professionals, and features a mix of health information, fact sheets on different topics and descriptions of local health services.

People shouldn’t delay seeking medical treatment if they need urgent medical assistance at any time. Always dial 111 if it’s a life-threatening emergency.

People whose surgery or outpatient appointment has been postponed due to the strikes have been contacted directly. If you want to check if your appointment or surgery is still on, please call 0800 778 226 – after hours you can leave a message and someone will return your call the following day.

ENDS

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