11 January 2019

Whanganui District Health Board (WDHB) confirmed today its contingency planning is well in hand, to ensure patients receive a full range of emergency and acute services, plus as many elective services as can be safely provided, during next week’s Resident Medical Officer (RMO) strike from 7am Tuesday 15 January to 7am Thursday 17 January.

WDHB acting chief executive Brian Walden says while it is disappointing that some trainee doctors have chosen to issue notice of strike action, he wants to assure the community that staff are pulling together to minimise the level of disruption felt by patients and the public.

"Unfortunately, we will have to reschedule some elective surgery and Outpatient clinics booked for those two days," Mr Walden says. “Any patients with a planned surgery, procedure or outpatient appointment will be contacted as soon as possible if it needs to be rearranged.”

"All decisions regarding rescheduling of appointments and surgery will be made with patient safety foremost in our minds and that patient safety will continue to be the top priority for us during the strike period.

"Please note that the Emergency Department (ED) will be open for 'business as usual'. That said, please keep ED for emergencies.”

Patients should still come to their scheduled appointment or surgery on those days UNLESS we have contacted them directly to say their appointment is being rescheduled.

People with non-urgent ailments or injuries should visit their GP or after hours clinic in the first instance. Anyone unsure about whether they need ED care should contact their GP or call Healthline (0800 611 116) for free advice from a registered nurse.