Elective surgery patients at Rotorua and Taupo hospitals have had their operations rescheduled as the hospitals prepare for a two-day strike.
Radiographers at Rotorua and Taupo are set to go on a two-day strike starting at 8am tomorrow. This will mean there won't be any radiology services - except in emergencysituations - at Rotorua or Taupo hospitals. The strike is expected to end on Thursday at 8am.
Lakes District Health Board general manager of clinical services, Dale Oliff, said having no radiology services for 48 hours would put considerable stress on staff and services.
"The strikes have now been on-going for 15 weeks with more notices this week taking the strike action out until November 25 - nearly five months.
"Staff are wary, as they have to shoulder extra work under stressful conditions to ensure patient safety and to minimise the impact on patients and services.
"Clinical staff are becoming more and more frustrated at being unable to provide diagnostic services for patients in a timely manner," she said.
Radiographers throughout the country have issued many strike notices since August, after contract talks between health boards and their union, Apex, broke down in April.
In September about 23 radiographers at Rotorua and Taupo refused to work for 24 hours, except during life threatening situations.
"Staff have spent considerable time rescheduling people who were booked for elective surgery during the strike to ensure radiology services like x-rays and scans will be available if necessary," Ms Oliff said.
"Some outpatient clinics will also be affected with some patients being sent to private providers to be x-rayed before the clinic appointment and others needing to be postponed."
Ms Oliff said the Lakes District Health Board executive and clinical governance and management team members were proud of staff who continued to provide front line health services despite the disruption strike action caused.
People with minor health issues are advised to go to their general practitioner or Lakes PrimeCare, on the corner of Arawa and Tutanekai streets.
