Wairarapa Hospital’s nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants that belong to the NZNO union can choose to strike, and the planning arrangements are extensive.
Our nursing, healthcare assistant and midwifery teams are an integral part of our service, and highly valued. We look forward to a resolution, but in the meantime we are planning carefully for the strike. The safety of patients, staff and the community remains our highest priority and we are confident in our contingency planning.
What does it mean for me?
There will be some changes for people at the hospital., and some services will be reduced for people receiving care in the community. Critical community nursing needs and mental health services are still available, as is ED, and of course we are looking after our inpatients.
Wairarapa Hospital services have been significantly reduced. No surgeries have been booked for some days beforehand to reduce patient numbers in the wards, and no outpatient appointments or clinics are booked.
What if I am ill, or injured?
If you are sick, or injured it’s business as usual. As always, the ED is for emergencies. If it’s not an emergency, people should contact their medical centre, ask for advice at a pharmacy, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116.
I have family in hospital - what about them?
To help ease pressure on staff during the strike, Wairarapa Hospital has relaxed visiting hours for the day on Thursday and asks family members to spread their visits throughout the day to support their loved one in hospital.
Family visitors can be a great help to our reduced staff team by attending to patients simple needs; for example helping them with their meals, and keeping them supported and entertained while we are thin on the ground with staff. But we ask that you keep it to only one or two visitors at a time please!
Services which will remain open will be:
·Emergency Department
·Paediatric inpatient ward
·Acute surgery
·High dependency units
·Some adult inpatient services
·Maternity
·Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Services with limited support:
·Community Nursing Services
·Adult Mental Health crisis and respite support including after-hours services. (There will be no routine appointments on the day).
Services which will be closed will be:
·Outpatient Clinics
·Elective surgery
·Day Procedures unit
·Rehabilitation Unit (limited services)
This website has information about how to find a GP or your closest after hours service.
Anyone unsure about whether they need ED care should contact their GP or call Healthline (0800 611 116) for free advice from a registered nurse.
