CDHB Managing Successfully In Spite Of Claims

Tuesday, 13 September 2005, 1:20 pm
Press Release: Canterbury DHB

CDHB Managing Successfully In Spite Of Counter Claims

In spite of the union NUPE’s claims that the CDHB is having difficulties managing without the 400 staff who are on strike, the Health Board reports that to date, staff are managing well with minimum disruptions.

‘NUPE’s claim that the lack of maintenance staff at some hospitals is causing problems is not correct,’ GM for Hospital & Specialist Service Jock Muir said. ‘All the sites have been checked and no problems have been reported.’

Mr Muir said the specific claim by NUPE about the boiler house at Christchurch Hospital was not true.

‘All the monitoring for the systems there is done electronically. There have been no reports of any issues this morning and usually if there is an issue we are contacted by Environment Canterbury. There has been no such contact.’

Mr Muir said the hospital services were continuing to manage with reduced staff in some areas but surgical services at Christchurch hospital hadn’t been affected and there have been no delays to surgery.

‘It isn’t an ideal situation, and we would prefer to sit down with the union and discuss what can be done to lift the strike. However they have told us they only meet at 4pm each day. We said yesterday we would meet at any time, and so far they have refused.’

Mr Muir said the claim by NUPE that the CDHB was using illegal tactics to ensure staff not involved in the strike continued to turn up for work was also incorrect.

‘It is CDHB practice to ask for a medical certificate from staff who are away sick for three days or more. And, we reserve the right to ask for a medical certificate at any time.’

ENDS

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Canterbury DHB

CDHB

Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) is a Christchurch, New Zealand based hospital and healthcare provider for the Canterbury region of New Zealand. Our region extends from Kekerengu in the North, to Rangitata in the South and Arthurs Pass in the West and comprises the six Territorial Local Authorities of Kaikoura, Hurunui, Waimakariri, Christchurch City, Selwyn and Ashburton.

We collaborate with other health and disability organisations, stakeholders and our community to decide what health and disability services are needed and how to best use the funding we receive from Government to improve, promote and protect the health, wellbeing and independence of our population.

At the Canterbury DHB, our vision is to improve the health and wellbeing of people living in Canterbury.

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