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WAIRARAPA HOSPITAL
0800 946 9800
(06) 946 9800

Published Tuesday 10 Jul 2018

With the NZNO Nurses strike likely to go ahead on Thursday, Chief Executive Adri Isbister acknowledges the hard work going into preparations and pays her respects to the staff.

“We have a deep respect for our nurses, healthcare assistants and midwives. They are a highly valued part of our workforce, committed to patient care. We know it is not a decision made lightly.

"It is disheartening to hear agreement couldn’t be reached, but right now we are focused on ensuring the safety of our patients and our staff during the period of industrial action,” said Adri Isbister, Chief Executive.

“I’d like to thank all our staff for their full commitment and significant effort in preparing for Thursday.”

To prepare for the strike, Wairarapa Hospital has had to significantly defer surgeries and reduce the level of services provided. It will maintain only the very minimum of services during the Thursday strike, and all outpatient clinics will be closed.

“Our number one priority is patient safety and we have put a lot of time into hospital and community nursing planning to ensure we can continue to provide acute care and emergency services on Thursday,” Isbister said.

Emergency and essential services will be provided and people should not delay seeking medical treatment and go to hospital if the matter is urgent. They should dial 111 for emergencies or for an ambulance.

For all other matters people should do what they normally do and visit their Medical Centre or ask for advice at a local pharmacy. Free healthcare information is available 24/7 by calling Healthline on 0800 611 116.

Family and friends visiting patients in the hospital are advised that visiting hours will be relaxed over the day on Thursday to enable them to help support their loved one in hospital. Please limit visitors to a maximum of two per patient at any one time, and spread your visits throughout the day.

Any patients in the children’s ward must have a family member/visitor with them at all times throughout the day.

Picketing may take place in the morning and afternoon outside the hospital. This should not affect public access to parking or to the hospital entrance.