Plans are in place to cope with July 5 strike by nurses

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

Health Board Hauora Tairawhiti is expecting “significant disruptions to all services” after receiving notice of a strike on Thursday, July 5 from nurses and healthcare assistants who are members of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO).

Approximately 95 percent of the health board’s nurses and healthcare assistants are members of NZNO, meaning more than 380 of these staff members will be on strike.

Chief executive Jim Green said the health board had a very experienced contingency planning team. It had put together a plan for essential services and to ensure the organisation would run as smoothly and safely as possible during the strike period.

“The main focus is patient and staff safety.”

The contingency plan includes how the wards and departments will be managed during the strike period. An agreement will be in place between the union and the board to ensure that there is staff available for critical situations.

Plans are under way to reschedule planned services leading up to and during the strike period to minimise delays for patients to be seen.

During the strike, inpatient wards and the emergency department will be open.

To support these areas all planned services will be deferred.

“Most areas of the hospital will remain open, although there will be significant changes to the way we work and provide service during strike action.

“The main message for the community leading up to July 5 is to see their GP or nurse, or call Healthline 0800 611 116 in preference to coming to the emergency department for non-emergency problems.

“However, for urgent cases, you should not delay in seeking medical attention or coming to the emergency department.

“For any concerns regarding appointments or services, the hotline 0800 800 620 has been created and is now active.”

The strike will begin at 7am on July 5 and run for 24 hours.

Notice of a second 24-hour strike from 7am on July 12 is expected next week.

All midwives employed by the board are members of the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS), and are not involved in the industrial action.