Canterbury DHB prepared for next week’s planned RDA strike

Canterbury DHB prepared for next week’s planned strike by members of the RDA

Members of the New Zealand Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) will go on strike from 7am on 18 October until 7am on 20 October.

Like all District Health Boards, Canterbury DHB has been contingency planning since receiving the strike notice last week. Our focus is on ensuring safe care during the 48-hour strike period when most RDA members will withdraw their services.

Canterbury DHB employs about 490 Resident Medical Officers and understands about 70 percent are RDA members.

Michael Frampton, Canterbury DHB General Manager People and Capability, says continuing to provide safe care for patients during the strike remains the highest priority and focus for those working in the Canterbury Health System.

“The DHB is prioritising essential and acute services over others and this means hundreds of outpatient appointments and around 150 elective surgeries are being rescheduled.”

“Patients who have appointments or surgery booked during the strike period can expect to hear from Canterbury DHB whether they are affected or not.

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

“We ask people to phone their General Practice team first – unless it’s a life-threatening emergency. After-hours when you call your usual general practice number your call will be put through to a nurse who can provide free health advice. If you need to be seen urgently, they can tell you what to do and where to go for #carearoundtheclock.”

Patients who haven’t heard from us but want to check if their surgery or outpatient appointment is going ahead next week should call 0800 778 226 from Mondaymorning. This line will be answered from 8am – 5pm Monday – Wednesday next week.

After hours you can leave a message. You should state your name and NHI number (Your NHI number is on your appointment letter and contains three letters and four digits e.g. ABC 1234).

ENDS

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