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Impact of Strike Action by Junior Doctors (April 22 - 24 2008)
Capital & Coast DHB’s primary and unwavering focus during an upcoming strike by junior doctors will be on maintaining the safety of patients.
Registered Medical Officers (RMOs) who are members of the Resident Doctor’s Association have signaled a complete withdrawal of service for a period of 48 hours from 7am on Tuesday 22 April to 7am on Thursday 24 April. This affects all 21 DHB areas in New Zealand.
“While talks are underway in hopes of negotiating a settlement, it is necessary for us to proceed with contingency planning on the basis that this strike may go ahead,” C&C DHB’s chief operating officer Martin Hefford said.
“In essence, we must use our remaining resources to focus on the care of patients with urgent or emergency needs. As a result many less urgent surgeries and appointments will need to be postponed, and we are contacting patients who are scheduled to see us in the days leading up to ANZAC day (April 25) to advise them of how they are affected.
“We sincerely regret any inconvenience or distress this may create for patients, however the current situation leaves us with no alternative.
“In the event that strike action is called off we will seek to re-instate as many of those surgeries or appointments as is possible.
“Patients who are uncertain should wait for us to contact them, or they can call 0508-4-CCDHB (0508-422-342).
“We must also strongly emphasise our message that the Emergency Department at Wellington Hospital is for emergencies, and people with a lesser ailment which they feel could be adequately addressed by their GP should go to their GP.
“People with low priority ailments who present at our ED during the time of this strike will overload our ED, and are likely to experience significantly longer waits before they are seen by doctors.
“Those who are unsure as to whether they need ED care or not should call Healthline toll-free on 0800-611-116 for free advice from a registered nurse.”
In preparation for this strike action C&C DHB is taking the following essential steps:
- We will review and assess patients in our hospitals, to determine those who are clinically appropriate for safe discharge. This will enable C&C DHB to focus available resources on patients with acute or urgent needs.
- The majority of elective surgery over the strike period will be postponed. Affected patients will be contacted directly by C&C DHB in the week ahead.
- Acute and emergency surgery will continue throughout this time.
- The majority of outpatient appointments and other procedures over the strike period will be postponed. Affected patients will be contacted directly by C&C DHB in the week ahead.
- A freephone number has been established to respond to questions from patients with scheduled appointments (surgery, procedures, outpatients) during the strike period. That number is: 0508-4-CCDHB (0508-422-342).
- Kenepuru Community Hospital will remain open (with the exception of elective surgery which will be postponed).
“We appreciate the public’s understanding and patience during this difficult time,” Martin Hefford said.
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