Nelson Marlborough Health prepares for NZRDA strike

MEDIA RELEASE

8 January 2019

Nelson Marlborough Health prepares for NZRDA strike

Nelson Marlborough Health (NMH) is preparing contingency plans to minimise disruption to the public during the planned nationwide strike of Resident Medical Officers (doctors in training) who are covered by the New Zealand Resident Doctors' Association (NZRDA) collective employment agreement.

The strike will occur from at 0700 Tuesday, 15 January and end at 0700 Thursday, 17 January, 2019.

Lexie O’Shea, General Manager - Clinical Services says patient safety is paramount during the strike period.

“We will continue to operate essential services such as emergency departments, emergency surgery and maternity care throughout the strike,” she says.

“In order to reduce demand on our hospitals it is likely we will reschedule some non-urgent elective surgeries, and some outpatient appointments on the strike day.”

O’Shea says all affected patients will be contacted directly, and people should come to their scheduled appointment unless they have been contacted and advised otherwise.

“We apologise in advance for any disruption but this is a necessary measure to ensure we can concentrate on patients requiring urgent and emergency care during the strike period.

She urges people not to delay seeking medical treatment if they need urgent medical assistance.

For healthcare needs people should:

1. contact their GP, local pharmacy or call Health line on 0800 611 116 for non-urgent needs

2. visit the Medical and Injury Centre in Nelson and Urgent Care Centre in Blenheim for urgent care

3. dial 111 or come to the hospital for emergencies

Refer to the NMH website for up to date notices about the strike and effects on healthcare services www.nmdhb.govt.nz

Patients or other members of the public can also call NMH on 0800 733 372 to check the status of their appointment.

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