Auckland hospitals cope despite strikes

File Photo / Sarah Ivey

Auckland hospitals say they are coping despite more than 100 laboratory workers striking over pay rates.

The Medical Laboratory Workers Union began a two day strike today which impacts both Auckland City Hospital and Starship Children's Hospital.

However, Chief Medical Officer at Auckland DHB Dr Margaret Wilsher said no surgery has been cancelled following the industrial action, although it has led to delays.

"We will obviously have patients waiting longer in the emergency department and it may mean we don't discharge some patients in a timely fashion but we are expecting to deliver the same standard of care to our patients," she told Radio New Zealand.

Workers from Middlemore Hospital will join the strike tomorrow.

- NZ Herald staff