Canterbury DHB rescheduling some appointments

Media Release

Canterbury DHB rescheduling some surgery and outpatient appointments
in anticipation of July 5 strike action

Over the coming days, Canterbury DHB will be calling people who have an outpatient appointment or planned surgery that will potentially be impacted by the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) nurses, midwives and healthcare workers’ strike on July 5.

Michael Frampton, Chief People Officer for Canterbury and West Coast DHBs says “While we hope to be able to reschedule appointments as part of that conversation, in many cases we will not be in a position to do so and therefore will confirm a new appointment as soon as we possibly can. During that phone call, we will also ask whether we can reinstate the original appointment at short notice if the industrial action does not go ahead.”

“If you have an outpatient appointment on July 5, or surgery planned in the days leading up to or on July 5, and haven’t heard from us by midday on Monday July 2, please call the specific service as detailed on your appointment letter. If you can’t find the letter, call the Canterbury DHB switchboard on 03 364 0640 and ask to be connected with the appropriate service.”

Urgent procedures, such as cancer surgery, will be prioritised to go ahead during the planned strike period on a case-by-case basis.

During the strike period, people should access urgent or emergency care as they normally would.

People who don’t need care urgently are asked to call their GP team at any time of day or night, and they will be advised what to do and where to go.

During the strike, Christchurch’s three urgent care facilities; 24 hour surgery, Riccarton Clinic and Moorhouse Medical will be geared up to cope with additional demand.

“We are working on the assumption that most NZNO members will strike and, as union membership is more than 90%, that this will be severely disruptive. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience and distress that rescheduling may cause but this is a necessary measure to ensure that we can concentrate on people who require urgent and emergency care during this period of disruption,” Mr Frampton says.

“Our priority at all times, 365 days a year, is the safety and wellbeing of those accessing our services.”

ENDS

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