Southland Hospital Prepares for Strike

Tuesday 7 April 2008

Tuesday 7 April 2008

Southland Hospital Prepares for Junior Doctors' Strike

Contingency planning is well underway at Southland Hospital in preparation for the expected strike action by junior doctors later this month, said Leanne Samuel, Interim Chief Operating Officer.

"A team of clinical and management staff are meeting regularly to plan for the 48 hour strike which is scheduled to run from 0700 Tuesday 22 April and end at 0700 Thursday 24 April," Mrs Samuel said.

"Southland patients will be affected by this strike with elective surgery and other services expected to be postponed or cut back while the strike takes place.

"Our focus will be ensuring that we can provide appropriate care for patients in hospital during the strike and to be able to handle emergency situations."

Mrs Samuel said that the hospital was currently working through the logistics involved in preparing for the strike, including confirming which services would need to be reduced and negotiating with the union over staff required for life-preserving cover.

Mrs Samuel said that the strike would not affect SDHB's Lakes District Hospital or Gore Health Limited's Gore Hospital - neither of which employ junior medical staff.

ENDS

Contingency planning is well underway at Southland Hospital in preparation for the expected strike action by junior doctors later this month, said Leanne Samuel, Interim Chief Operating Officer.

"A team of clinical and management staff are meeting regularly to plan for the 48 hour strike which is scheduled to run from 0700 Tuesday 22 April and end at 0700 Thursday 24 April," Mrs Samuel said.

"Southland patients will be affected by this strike with elective surgery and other services expected to be postponed or cut back while the strike takes place.

"Our focus will be ensuring that we can provide appropriate care for patients in hospital during the strike and to be able to handle emergency situations."

Mrs Samuel said that the hospital was currently working through the logistics involved in preparing for the strike, including confirming which services would need to be reduced and negotiating with the union over staff required for life-preserving cover.

Mrs Samuel said that the strike would not affect SDHB's Lakes District Hospital or Gore Health Limited's Gore Hospital - neither of which employ junior medical staff.

ENDS

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