NZNO (New Zealand Nurses Organisation) and PSA (Public Service Association) members working for the Government funded
national telehealth services, run by Whakarongorau Aotearoa, will strike for 24 hours from 3.00pm Friday 15 September to
3.00pm Saturday 16 September.
There will be disruption to services during this time. Available staffing will be prioritised for services that support
people in immediate danger. There will be significant delays in staff who are working, being able to respond to calls.
During the strike, all non-phone channels (that’s text, webchat, and email) and call-back options will be unavailable.
The services expected to be available (at time of writing) are:HealthlineDoctor services - doctor consults, Clinical Advice Line, doctor support for ambulance paramedics pilot1737 need to talk? and the Depression Helpline (phone only, there will be no text option)COVID HealthlineVaccination HealthlineQuitlineNational Poisons Centre and Immunisation Advisory Centre servicesPeer Support ServiceEarlier Mental Health Response service with PoliceEmergency Triage service with ambulanceMental Health After HoursFamily Violence ServicesNational Bowel Screening and National Cervical Screening coordination centresSeasonal pressures diversion pathways from rural, Māori and Pacific providersPuāwaitanga counselling serviceWhītiki Tauā mentoring serviceThe following services will be unavailable:Gambling HelplineAlcohol Drug HelplineThe national sexual harm helpline Safe to talkThe Elder Abuse Response Service
When people contact the services during this time, there will be messaging about expected delays or about the service
being unavailable, and options to access alternative health support and information.The teams will - as they always do - focus on doing one safe call at a time.