RECOVERING: The Hawke's Bay District Health Board is now in a recovery phase following the three-day national Resident Doctors' Association strike this week. PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR.
RECOVERING: The Hawke's Bay District Health Board is now in a recovery phase following the three-day national Resident Doctors' Association strike this week. PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR.
The Hawke's Bay District Health Board is now in a recovery phase following the conclusion of this week's three-day national Resident Doctors' Association strike.
The strike, which ended yesterday at 8am, involved more than 100 Hawke's Bay Hospital resident doctors and has left the HBDHB to work through recovery plansto ensure hospital services can return to normal as soon as possible.
Chief Operating Officer Sharon Mason said while the DHB is in its recovery phase, people who are feeling unwell are encouraged to seek help early, and contact their family doctor or medical centre in the first instance.
"We continue to stress that the hospital's emergency department must continue to be reserved for those people who are acutely or seriously unwell," Mrs Mason said.
"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."
Mrs Mason said those who are uncertain about the status of their appointment are encouraged to ring 0800 450 113 for further information.
She said the HBDHB had worked closely with general practice and St John throughout the strike and was thankful for the support and cooperation received.
"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."
Yesterday Hawke's Bay Today stated the Hawke's Bay District Health Board could not be reached for comment. It should have stated that it was the District Health Board shared services that could not be reached for comment.
