NZRDA doctors to strike - 15 & 16 January

Southern DHB and all DHBs across the country have received notice from the New Zealand Resident Doctors' Association (NZRDA) union that its members plan to strike for 48 hours:

• from 7am Tuesday 15 January
• until 7am Thursday 17 January

The strike will impact many health care services across the district, and though mediation talks are underway in the hopes of averting a strike, we continue to contingency plan for a possible strike.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Patient safety is our priority
• Patients whose surgeries and procedures are being postponed will be contacted directly by phone, text or letter by Southern DHB staff
• Hospitals remain open during the strike and will continue to provide essential and urgent services including emergency departments, acute surgery, intensive care, cancer treatments, maternity services, renal dialysis
• Patients should still come to their scheduled appointment or surgery on those days UNLESS we have contacted them directly to say their appointment is being rescheduled
• During the strike period if you or a whānau member have a condition that is not urgent or severe, please contact your GP
• If it is an emergency, call 111 immediately
• Free medical advice is available 24/7 through Healthline, phone 0800 611 116.