18 April 2019

Preparations by Whanganui District Health Board (WDHB) for planned strike action are ongoing and well in hand.

The WDHB aims to ensure patients receive a full range of emergency and acute services, plus as many elective services as can be safely provided, when resident medical officers (RMOs) withdraw their services again at the end of this month.

Across the country, RMOs who are members of the New Zealand Resident Doctors’ Association (NZRDA) plan to strike for a fifth time - on this occasion for a full five days, from 8am Monday, 29 April, to 8am Saturday 4 May.

WDHB chief executive Russell Simpson says he is confident the level of disruption felt by patients and the public due to the industrial action will be minimised as much as possible.

"As was the case for the previous four NZRDA strikes in recent weeks, Whanganui Hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) will be open as usual for emergencies,” he said.

“However, we will again need to reschedule some elective surgery and outpatient clinics booked for that week.

“Any patient with a planned surgery, procedure or outpatient appointment booked for the five days of the strike will be contacted as soon as possible if this needs to be rearranged.

"As always, patient safety is our foremost priority, so all decisions regarding the rescheduling of appointments or surgery will be carefully considered.”

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

As usual, it is important to seek treatment early for non-urgent ailments or injuries so that the condition does not get worse. Visit your 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.