NZRDA Strike Action

Media Release
October 12 2016

NZRDA Strike Action

You will be aware that the New Zealand Resident Doctors Association (NZRDA) has issued notice of industrial action. Resident Doctors (RMO) who are union members will strike and not be available to work for 48 hours between 7am Tuesday 18 October and 7am Thursday 20 October 2016.

Northland DHB employs 102 RMOs; 79 of these staff members are NZRDA members.

“We have robust contingency management processes to ensure acute care and emergency services remain available during strike action,” said Chief Executive Dr Nick Chamberlain.

While the majority of our services are unaffected this strike action will have an impact on patient care. We are currently developing contingencies to ensure patient safety during this period. Services will be delivered by Senior Doctors and non-striking RMOs.

Unfortunately, the DHB will need to reschedule some non-urgent surgery and appointments.

We will be communicating directly with those patients. If patients have not been contacted, they are not affected.

“We apologise in advance for the inconvenience this will cause and reassure you that our number one consideration is for the safety of our patients,” Dr Chamberlain said.

Reduced services:
• All our services will be reduced during this strike action
• Our Emergency Department (ED) will still be open for emergencies
• If you are, or may be, seriously unwell you should still come to ED. For less serious problems please contact your GP or White Cross.

Services which will remain open are:
• Emergency Department
• Intensive care unit
• Paediatric acute assessment unit
• Coronary Care Unit
• Acute surgery
• High dependency units
• Mental Health Inpatient Unit
• Special Care Baby Unit
• Renal Dialysis units
• All our hospital wards.

Services which may be affected are:
• Outpatient Clinics
• Some Elective surgery
• Operating theatres
• Patients requiring tertiary care will continue to be transferred to tertiary hospitals if required.

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ENDS

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