New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) members intended local strike on 19 December 2024

Tuesday 17 December 2024Health news5 minutes to read

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora has received a further strike notice from the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO). This means that nurses, healthcare assistants (HCAs) and some midwives who are union members and employed by Health NZ Waitaha Canterbury and Te Tai o Poutini West Coast will be undertaking a full withdrawal of labour, from 1-5pm on Thursday 19 December.

Members of the NZNO have valued roles in our health system and we respect their right to protest or strike. It is estimated that around 5000 staff in Canterbury and 400 or so on the West Coast belong to the NZNO and we expect a significant proportion will take part in strike action. 

We have a National Contingency Plan in place and are continuing to develop and implement local operational plans to ensure safe care and minimum disruption during the strike period.  

We apologise in advance for the inconvenience and distress this industrial action may cause some patients and their whānau who may be impacted by having their care deferred. At all times, the safety of patients in our care remains our priority and we will be focused on ensuring people continue to have access to and receive appropriate care during the strike. 

What to do if you are sick or injured during the strike

• People who need to access urgent or emergency care should do what they normally would and call 111 if it’s an emergency. 
• Ambulances and the 111 emergency number will be operating as normal 
• You can also call Healthline for free on 0800 611-116, any time of the day or night.  Healthline can provide trusted clinical health advice, information, and treatment from nurses, paramedics, advisors, and doctors. 
• Your local pharmacy can advise on over-the-counter medications and treatments including pain management. 
• Please choose the right care so we keep the Emergency Department (ED) free for those who need that specialist level of care.  
• If your health need is not urgent (or an emergency) but you still want to see a GP or Nurse, you could have an online (virtual) appointment using your laptop or device (https://healthify.nz/apps/v/virtual-consult-apps/). Your appointment will be with a NZ-registered health professional. They can manage a range of conditions and provide prescriptions for medication and/or medical certificates. 
• We would like to reassure our community that emergency and urgent/acute care will always be available at Christchurch Hospital, Greymouth’s Te Nīkau Hospital and Westport’s Te Rau Kawakawa. In a life-threatening emergency, call 111. 
• Select pharmacies are also offering free advice and where applicable, medicines for certain minor health conditions for eligible people. 

Rescheduling surgeries and outpatient appointments during the strike period 

Over the coming days, Health NZ Waitaha Canterbury and Te Tai o Poutini West Coast will be calling people who have an outpatient appointment or planned surgery that will potentially be impacted by the strike – this could be on the day of the strike itself, or in the days on either side.  

Urgent procedures, such as cancer surgery and dialysis, will be prioritised to go ahead during the planned strike period on a case-by-case basis. 

We are reducing the number of outpatient appointments and elective surgeries leading up to and during the strike period. Where we have made an appointment, we will reschedule it when we contact the patient. During that phone call, we will also ask whether we can reinstate the original appointment at short notice if the industrial action does not go ahead.  

If you are in Canterbury and have an outpatient appointment on 19 December, or surgery planned in the days leading up to or on the day of the strike and haven’t heard from us by midday on Wednesday 18 December, please call the specific service detailed on your appointment letter. If you can’t find the letter, call the switchboard on 03 7967-400 between 8am and 5pm and ask to be connected to the appropriate service. 

If you are on the West Coast and have an outpatient appointment on 19 December, or surgery planned in the days leading up to or on the day of the strike and haven’t heard from us by midday Wednesday 18 December, please call the specific service detailed on your appointment letter. If you can’t find the letter, call 03 7967 400

Maternity care

• Christchurch Women’s Hospital maternity services will be providing care, albeit with fewer staff. In Canterbury, all our community birthing units will remain open for births. Transfers post-birth from Christchurch Women’s Hospital will be limited to some community birthing units during the strike period. We may be asking people to go home a little earlier – only if they and their baby are well – due to the impact on staff in our maternity ward and some community units. 
• Te Nīkau Hospital maternity services on the West Coast will be providing care as normal.
• Pregnant women should stick to their birthing plan and if they are concerned, seek advice from their Lead Maternity Care (LMC) midwife or obstetrician. Community LMCs are not on strike. 
• Clinics at Christchurch Women’s Hospital for pregnant women are not affected.  
• Emergency caesarean sections will continue to be available for women who need that level of care. 

What else can you do to help?

During the strike, we invite family, whānau and support people to stay longer to support their loved one in the hospital. Your assistance around meal times and helping keep your loved one comfortable and supported will be appreciated. You might want to organise for different whānau members to take turns supporting your family member throughout the day and evening of the strike. 

Tags December 2024health carestrikestrike nznoWest Coast

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NZNO Strikestrike actionTe Nīkau Grey Hospital and Health CentreWest Coast

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