12 October 2016

Local impact of junior doctors’ strike action

Junior doctors who are members of the New Zealand Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) will go on strike from 7am on 18 October until 7am on20 October.

“During that 48-hour period, the junior doctors will completely withdraw their services from all DHBs around the country,” said Chief Operating Officer Chris Lowry

“This means that, like all other DHBs, we will experience some staffing gaps. To cope with this, we will need to prioritise essential and acute services over others – meaning some outpatient appointments and elective surgeries will have to be rescheduled.

“Patients who have appointments or surgeries during this time can expect to hear from CCDHB this week about whether they are affected. We are also assessing our inpatients to see whether it is clinically appropriate to discharge them. If not, they will remain in hospital.”

The Emergency Department (ED) at Wellington Regional Hospital will remain open during the strike.

“We ask people to remember that ED is for emergencies only. People with non-urgent ailments will probably experience significantly longer waits to see a doctor, and should visit their GP in the first instance. Patient safety and wellbeing remains our highest priority and focus during this time.”

Patients who are uncertain about their scheduled appointments or procedures should wait to be contacted, or call 0508 4 CCDHB (0508 4 22342).

Anyone unsure about whether they need ED care should contact their GP or call Healthline (0800 611 116) for free advice from a registered nurse.

For our latest news, visit www.ccdhb.org.nz or www.facebook.com/CCDHB

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