MEDIA RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

29 November 2006

Strike action underway at HBDHB

The Medical Laboratory Workers’ Union strike began at 8.00am this morning and for the next seven days Hawke’s Bay DHB’s contingency planning team will be working around the clock to ensure patients receive the care they need.

Says Warrick Frater, chief operating officer “We have been contingency planning for this strike for the last fourteen days to ensure we provide safe and appropriate care for our patients. While we have had to postpone some patient clinic visits and surgery, some routine or planned activity is continuing. The community can be assured that emergency and acute care is still available during the strike action.”

The DHB advises that:

• Some elective surgery and outpatient clinic appointments which involved laboratory tests, or blood products, have been transferred to outside the strike period.

• All people whose elective surgery or outpatient clinic appointment has changed will be contacted by the DHB.

• If people have not heard from the DHB their booking for surgery or clinic visit will proceed.

• If people are uncertain whether their outpatient clinic or elective surgery is affected by the strike action they should phone 0800 450 113

“We apologise for any inconvenience people may encounter as a result of this strike action. Our number one priority, however, is to ensure that our patients are safe and well cared for during the strike” says Mr Frater.

ENDS

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