20 November 2018

Whanganui District Health Board (WDHB) confirmed today that midwives will go on strike for two hours, twice a day beginning 22 November – a pattern likely to be repeated for two weeks.

A series of strike notices issued by the midwives’ union MERAS, will affect district health board-employed midwives nationwide. This will not affect Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) community midwives says Whanganui DHB spokesperson Declan Rogers.

Mr Rogers says Whanganui Hospital’s Maternity Unit will remain open and midwives will be available at all times during the strikes. Importantly, Whanganui district women should come to their scheduled appointment unless they have been contacted to say their appointment has been cancelled.

“Whanganui DHB respects the midwives’ right to take this action – what’s important to us is for the public and pregnant women to know that the safety of women and their babies is paramount in the lead-up to, and during, the strikes,” Mr Rogers says.

“DHBs are doing everything they can to settle the agreement. In the meantime, we need to prepare for a series of strikes and this is happening.”

If women have any questions, they can call charge midwife Lucy Pettit on 06 348 3264 between 8am and 5pm (Monday to Friday). Outside these hours please contact your LMC.