On this page

What you need to know

*Senior doctors and dentists employed by Te Whatu Ora, who are members of ^ASMS, are going on strike from 10am – 2pm on Thursday 21 September. 

Unless we have contacted you directly, you should attend your outpatient or surgery appointment, as planned. We will be contacting anyone whose appointment needs to be rescheduled. 

All Emergency Departments will remain open during the two-hour strike. Plans are also in place to ensure anyone staying in hospital during this time will still receive safe care and the support they need.    

Call 111 or go to your nearest Emergency Department immediately if you or someone else has a medical emergency or a serious or life-threatening condition. 

Te Whatu Ora has an agreement with the unions for senior medical officers to be available to provide Life Preserving Services if needed.  

Te Whatu Ora respects the right of its staff to take industrial action.

 

∗ Strike participants are senior doctors and dentists working at Te Whatu Ora public hospitals and health facilities 

ˆ Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) is the union for senior medical officers - doctors and dentists.  

What happens if the strike is called off? 

If the strike is called off, some outpatient appointments and surgeries may be reinstated to the original time, or they may need to be rescheduled. This will be decided on a case-by-case basis, and in consultation with patients.  

If you want to check what’s happening, please call the number on your appointment letter.

Potential future industrial action 

We’ve received notice of another strike on Monday 2 October 2023 for 12 hours from 12.01 am to 12 noon. Planning is underway to minimise any disruptions for patients and their care.

We’ve been advised there may be a further strike on Tuesday 24 October 2023 for 24 hours from 8am to 8am on Wednesday 25 October 2023.

The 24 October strike will be confirmed if Te Whatu Ora receives further strike notice.