Industrial action

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

If you have a medical or mental health 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, mental health services, emergency department care and ambulance services.

Anyone staying in our hospitals or facilities 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, your hospital/clinic appointment or home visit will continue as normal.

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

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

If we have not contacted you directly to reschedule your appointment, your appointment will continue as normal.

Our hospitals and health 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, mental health services, emergency department care, ambulance and district nursing services.

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.

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

• If you have a medical or mental health 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)
• For mental health support, call or text 1737 for free, 24/7 or visit Where to get help for mental health (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 will be open during the strikes.

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

No. We are not aware of any planned strike action by staff at aged residential care facilities, St John Ambulance, Wellington Free Ambulance, GPs, after-hours and urgent medical centres, or hospice services.