Industrial action

New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) members employed by Health NZ are planning to strike on Tuesday 2 September and Thursday 4 September, from 7am to 11pm on both days.

The strikes are planned for Health NZ public hospitals and services only.

Should the strikes go ahead:

• All emergency departments will remain open but EDs will need to be kept for emergencies only.
• If it is an emergency, call 111 immediately. Do not delay seeking help if you or someone else is in a serious or life-threatening condition.
• Anyone unsure about whether they need emergency department care should contact their GP or call Healthline (0800 611 116) in the first instance. Healthline provides free medical advice and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Please note that patients presenting to emergency departments with non-urgent conditions will likely experience significant delays. Your patience would be greatly appreciated.
• People with non-urgent illnesses or injuries should contact their GP or other health provider.
• To maintain patient safety, most clinic appointments will need to be rescheduled.
• If you have an appointment booked for the day of the strike, come to your appointment unless you are contacted directly to have your appointment rescheduled.
• Our hospitals and healthcare services will continue to provide acute and emergency care, this includes maternity care, intensive care, emergency department care and ambulance services.
• Patients in hospital will receive the care and support they need.

Health NZ values the hard work and dedication of our staff. We remain focused on reaching a settlement with NZNO to avoid any disruption to patients.

Which services will continue to operate during the strikes?

Our hospitals and emergency departments remain open, but EDs will need to be kept for emergencies only.

If you have a medical emergency, or sudden decline of your health, do not delay seeking help. Call 111 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately.

Anyone unsure about whether they need emergency department care should contact their GP or call Healthline (0800 611 116) in the first instance. Healthline provides free medical advice and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

People with non-urgent illnesses or injuries should contact their GP or other health provider.

Critical health services will continue to be available for those who need them. This includes maternity care, intensive care, emergency department care and ambulance services.

Anyone staying in hospital during the strikes will receive the care and support they need.

If you have an appointment booked during the strikes and you do not hear from us directly to have it rescheduled, please come to your appointment.

Which services will be reduced during the strikes?

We will reduce most inpatient and outpatient appointments, surgery and treatments that can be safely deferred.

We are directly contacting any patients whose appointments may need to be rescheduled. We thank you for your understanding and patience if your appointment has been rescheduled.

If we have not contacted you directly to reschedule your appointment, please come to your appointment.

Who will provide care during the strikes?

Our hospitals and healthcare services will continue to operate with the help of other clinical staff.

All hospitals have contingency plans in place to ensure that patients will receive safe and appropriate care during the strikes. This includes maternity care, intensive care, emergency department care and ambulance services.

How can I help support a friend or whānau during the strikes?

Friends and family members can play an important role during the strikes. Consider staggering visits to your loved one so they have companionship throughout the day. If you have a friend or family member in hospital on the day of the strikes, talk to the charge nurse about what to expect and how you can help.

What should I do if I have an appointment during the strikes?

You should still come to your scheduled appointment unless you have been contacted directly by one of our hospital team to reschedule your appointment.

What if I need medical attention during the strikes?

• If you have a medical emergency, or sudden decline of your health, call 111 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately. Do not delay seeking help if you or someone else is in a serious or life-threatening condition.
• Anyone unsure about whether they need emergency department care should contact their GP or call Healthline (0800 611 116) in the first instance. 
• Healthline (0800 611 116) provides free medical advice and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• You can also visit Healthline for more information. Healthline - Health NZ (external link)
• People with non-urgent illnesses or injuries should contact their GP or other health provider.
• For minor illnesses, talk to your pharmacist or make an appointment with your GP.
• After-hours and urgent care clinics are not affected by the strikes and will operate as normal.

How will the strikes affect maternity services?

We will continue to provide maternity care during the strike action. Talk to your lead maternity carer if you have questions or concerns.

Does the strike action affect aged residential care facilities, ambulances, GPs, after-hours or urgent medical centres?

No. Aged residential care facilities, St John Ambulance, Wellington Free Ambulance, GPs, after-hours and urgent medical centres, and hospice services are not affected by the strikes and will operate as normal.