A group of resident doctors from Hawke's Bay Hospital gathered outside the hospital's main entrance yesterday to picket as part of the national Resident Doctors' Association's three-day strike.
Resident Doctors' Association member Dr Caitlin Northern said the protest lasted two hours, from 8.30am, and received plenty of attention from those passing by.
"It went really, really well. We had a good turn out and lots of people were tooting at us," she said.
An estimated 25 picketers waved placards with handwritten messages reading "Tired of unsafe hours", "Tired doctors make mistakes" and "Honk 4 support".
In a statement this morning, Hawke's Bay District Health Board Chief Operating Officer Sharon Mason said: "HBDHB is now working through recovery plans to ensure hospital services can return to 'business as usual' as soon as possible.
"We continue to encourage people who are feeling unwell to seek help early, and contact their family doctor or medical centre. Healthline is available 24/7 for free health advice from a registered nurse (0800-611-116).
"We continue to stress that the hospital's emergency department must continue to be reserved for those people who are acutely or seriously unwell.
"We have commenced rescheduling of those people whose outpatient appointments and elective procedures and surgeries were postponed. People will be contacted by our booking staff over the coming week with their new appointment times.
"If anyone is uncertain about the status of their appointment, they are encouraged to ring 0800-450-113 for further information.
"We have worked closely with general practice and St John and thank them for their support and cooperation. A number of general practices worked extended hours over the duration of the strike, and keeping our patients safe through this event has been a whole of health system collaborative effort. We thank everyone involved."