‘In recovery’ after strike

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

HAUORA Tairawhiti is in “a recovery phase” following the junior doctors’ strike a month ago.

The health board had to cancel 307 outpatient clinic visits, 25 surgery appointments and 18 endoscopy procedures to ensure acute care took priority.

Outpatient clinic appointments which were deferred had all been re-booked, said Jim Green, Hauora Tairawhiti chief executive. The backlog would be cleared by the end of June.

“Our theatre team have been working hard to reschedule the surgeries and procedures deferred as best as they can.

“We acknowledge that our response to the strike has had an impact on the people in our care and their whanau.

“Hauora Tairawhiti’s senior medical officers, clinical and clerical staff are working exceptionally hard to minimise this impact.

“At the same time we are sad to have to report one of our long-standing visiting urology surgeons, Mr John Boulton, has passed away unexpectedly.

“Again, our staff are doing their best to minimise the disruption to this service.

“We are grateful for the patience of the people in our care, their whanau and the wider community,” Mr Green said.

“ We apologise if people have had disruptions but would like to assure the public we are doing everything we can to lessen the impact of the recent events.”