MidCentral DHB services being monitored ahead of strike

MidCentral DHB services being monitored ahead of planned strike

MidCentral District Health Board is continuing to review what services it can provide during a proposed junior doctor strike this month.

Resident Medical Officers (RMOs) who are members of the New Zealand Resident Doctors’ Association (NZRDA) have issued strike notice for a 48-hour period from 8am, Tuesday 26 February to 8am, Thursday 28 February.

While emergency and acute services will be available during the strike, a number of elective services, such as operations, procedures and outpatient clinics, will be postponed. Patients who have appointments affected by the strike will be contacted directly.

MDHB Chief Executive Kathryn Cook said the DHB was focused on undertaking contingency planning to ensure safe conditions for patients and staff before, during and directly after the strike period.

“A contingency planning team made up of managers and clinical leaders are carefully reviewing all DHB services to determine what we can provide in a safe and efficient manner during this strike,” Ms Cook said.

“We will continue to review our elective and outpatient workloads as we prepare for the proposed RMO strike. Due to the ongoing industrial action throughout late 2018 and early 2019, there has been a need to closely monitor what services we can provide to the public during the strikes. While normal services recover fairly quickly after strike periods, it may take us some time before we can book and treat all of the elective patients who have been affected by the these actions.

“We sincerely apologise to any members of the public who have been inconvenienced due to the need to reduce and postpone our services. Your continued patience and understanding through this challenging time is appreciated.”

The public is asked to keep the emergency department free for emergencies. If your health condition is not an emergency, there are several other options including Healthline, your general practice team, a pharmacist and the district’s after-hours services.

A list of alternative healthcare options is available under the strike section of the MDHB website -www.midcentraldhb.govt.nz.

A freephone number, 0800 PNHOSP (764 677), is available for anyone with questions or who requires further information. Updates and further advice with regards to the location of acute clinics and treatment options is also available from the MDHB website: www.midcentraldhb.govt.nz

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