Tuesday 7 April 2008
Tuesday 7 April 2008
Southland Hospital Prepares for Junior Doctors' Strike
Contingency planning is well underway at Southland Hospital in preparation for the expected strike action by junior
doctors later this month, said Leanne Samuel, Interim Chief Operating Officer.
"A team of clinical and management staff are meeting regularly to plan for the 48 hour strike which is scheduled to run
from 0700 Tuesday 22 April and end at 0700 Thursday 24 April," Mrs Samuel said.
"Southland patients will be affected by this strike with elective surgery and other services expected to be postponed or
cut back while the strike takes place.
"Our focus will be ensuring that we can provide appropriate care for patients in hospital during the strike and to be
able to handle emergency situations."
Mrs Samuel said that the hospital was currently working through the logistics involved in preparing for the strike,
including confirming which services would need to be reduced and negotiating with the union over staff required for
life-preserving cover.
Mrs Samuel said that the strike would not affect SDHB's Lakes District Hospital or Gore Health Limited's Gore Hospital -
neither of which employ junior medical staff.
ENDS
Contingency planning is well underway at Southland Hospital in preparation for the expected strike action by junior
doctors later this month, said Leanne Samuel, Interim Chief Operating Officer.
"A team of clinical and management staff are meeting regularly to plan for the 48 hour strike which is scheduled to run
from 0700 Tuesday 22 April and end at 0700 Thursday 24 April," Mrs Samuel said.
"Southland patients will be affected by this strike with elective surgery and other services expected to be postponed or
cut back while the strike takes place.
"Our focus will be ensuring that we can provide appropriate care for patients in hospital during the strike and to be
able to handle emergency situations."
Mrs Samuel said that the hospital was currently working through the logistics involved in preparing for the strike,
including confirming which services would need to be reduced and negotiating with the union over staff required for
life-preserving cover.
Mrs Samuel said that the strike would not affect SDHB's Lakes District Hospital or Gore Health Limited's Gore Hospital -
neither of which employ junior medical staff.
ENDS