Contingency plans in place for strike by junior doctors

Northland District Health Board is finalising its contingency plans to provide medical cover during next week's national strike by junior doctors.
The junior doctors' union, the New Zealand Resident Doctors Association (NZRDA), has announced nationwide plans to strike for 48 hours from 7am on Tuesday, 22 April to 7am on Thursday, 24 April.

During this period elective surgery and other non-urgent procedures have been deferred, to free up senior medical staff. The DHB has attempted to contact all affected patients individually. Around 75 elective surgery cases will be deferred at Whangarei and Kaitaia hospitals, along with most outpatient clinics.

Senior doctors have been rostered on to provide medical cover, and the DHB has an agreement with the NZRDA to provide cover in life-preserving situations. Northland DHB is grateful for the commitment shown by senior doctors to patient care and safety by working additional duties during the strike period.

Dr Nick Chamberlain, Northland District Health Board's General Manager, Surgery, Critical Care, Medicine and Diagnostic Services, said that Whangarei Hospital was well placed to manage emergencies during the strike.

Dr Chamberlain said: "Although we have reduced medical staffing levels throughout the strike period, the public can be assured that we will be able to provide acute and emergency care. We will be able to treat emergency presentations in the Emergency Department at Whangarei Hospital, but we urge all non-urgent patients to seek help from their family doctor or nearest accident and medical centre before attending an emergency department."

Contingency planning involves offering limited services, including emergency services:

· All hospital wards will have medical cover
· Only high-priority surgery will be carried out
· Most outpatient clinics have been cancelled
· Mental health clinics will provide basic care
· All hospitals will accept women in labour.


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For further information, please contact:

Clare Blackburn, Communications Manager

Northland District Health Board

Phone (09) 430 4101 ext 3315