Junior doctors set to walk off job tomorrow

Bay of Plenty resident doctors will walk off the job for 48 hours at 7am tomorrow.

The action follows failed talks with district health boards over work hours and days.

Bay of Plenty District Health Board's medical director Dr Hugh Lees said planning for the strike has been focused on how Tauranga and Whakatane Hospitals will manage without the striking junior doctors, while trying to reduce the impact on services for patients, allowing clinical staff to focus on patients in most need.

"We will be rescheduling some elective surgery and some Outpatient Department appointments. If anyone has surgery or an Outpatient Department appointment booked on 18 or 19 October, in either Tauranga or Whakatane Hospital, they will be contacted by hospital staff to inform them of the status of their appointment or surgery."

Dr Lees said if patients were unsure about their appointment or surgery to phone 0800 333 477 between 8am and 4.30pm, to check their details.