Elderly advised to seek help

Elderly advised to seek help
Strike action impacting Auckland City Hospital

Elderly people who use Auckland City Hospital as their emergency provider are being encouraged to seek medical assistance, despite current strike action expected to cause delays in its Adult Emergency Department.

Auckland City Hospital’s Medical Radiation Technologists, who are members of the Association of Professional and Executive Employees Union, went on strike at 7am today while negotiations continue between the union and District Health Boards. The strike period ends at 7am on Tuesday 30 March.

As a result, Auckland City Hospital is warning people of delays in its Adult Emergency Department as well as the postponement of some elective surgery.

The strike affects all patients needing an x-ray or scan.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Margaret Wilsher, said there was particular concern that elderly people requiring assistance may not want to cause a fuss and choose to avoid seeking medical attention during the strike period.

“It is important people get the healthcare they need, so we actively encourage everyone to contact their General Practitioner or Healthline on 0800-611-116 for medical advice in the first instance or obviously call 111 in any emergency,” said Dr Wilsher.

“We appreciate elderly people can be stoic and may want to assist by avoiding medical treatment, but we do not want anyone with important symptoms, such as pain after a fall, to delay calling for assistance or decide to stay at home avoiding medical care.

“Those with the most urgent needs will be treated first in our emergency department, but other health care options are available and anyone not in a life threatening situation is urged to first contact their General Practitioner or call Healthline for advice to avoid delays,” she said.

ENDS

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