NZNO nurses’ strike action


10 December to 19 December

New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) union has advised of further strike action planned by its members who are nurses, healthcare assistants (HCAs) and some midwives.

Rolling four-hour strikes are planned for different districts on different days, 1pm to 5pm.

  • Auckland: Tuesday 10 December, 1 to 5pm
  • South Canterbury: Wednesday 11 December, 1 to 5pm
  • Southern: Wednesday 11 December, 1 to 5pm.
  • Counties Manukau: Thursday 12 December, 1 to 5pm
  • Whanganui: Thursday 12 December, 1 to 5pm
  • Wairarapa: Thursday 12 December, 1 to 5pm
  • Bay of Plenty: Friday 13 December, 1 to 5pm
  • Lakes: Friday 13 December, 1 to 5pm
  • Hutt Valley: Friday 13 December, 1 to 5pm
  • MidCentral: Monday 16 December, 1 to 5pm
  • Taranaki: Tuesday 17 December, 1 to 5pm
  • Tairāwhiti: Tuesday 17 December, 1 to 5pm
  • Northland: Tuesday 17 December, 1 to 5pm
  • Waitematā: Tuesday 17 December, 1 to 5pm
  • Waikato: Tuesday 17 December, 1 to 5pm
  • Nelson-Marlborough: Wednesday 18 December, 1 to 5pm
  • Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley: Wednesday 18 December, 1 to 5pm
  • Hawke’s Bay: Thursday 19 December, 1pm to 5pm 
  • Canterbury: Thursday 19 December, 1pm to 5pm 
  • West Coast: Thursday 19 December, 1pm to 5pm.

Our hospitals and healthcare services will continue to provide acute and emergency care throughout the strikes with the help of other clinical staff. This includes maternity care, intensive care, emergency department care, and ambulance services.

  • Anyone staying in hospital during the strike action will still receive the care and support they need.
  • Do not delay seeking help if you or someone else is in a serious or life-threatening condition.
  • Our emergency departments will remain open, and we will continue to provide all our emergency services. If you have a medical emergency, or a sudden decline of your health, do not delay seeking help. Call 111 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately.
  • Unfortunately, some appointments will need to be rescheduled. If you have an appointment booked for the day of a strike, come to your appointment as normal. unless we have contacted you directly to reschedule.
  • Our NZNO nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants (HCAs) are a highly valued part of our workforce and are committed to caring for our patients. We respect their right to take industrial action and know the decision to strike is a very difficult one.  

 

FAQs

Which services will continue to operate during the strikes? 

Our hospitals and healthcare services will remain open throughout the strikes with the help of other clinical staff. Anyone staying in hospital during this time will still receive the care and support they need.

We will continue to provide all our emergency services. 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.

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

Which services will be reduced during the strikes? 

We will reduce some 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 as normal.

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 strike action.

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 a strike, talk to the charge nurse or midwife about what to expect and how you can help.

What should I do if I have an appointment on the day of a strike? 

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 a strike?

  • 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.
  • For non-urgent medical advice or assistance, call Healthline for free anytime, day or night, on 0800 611 116. You can also visit www.healthline.govt.nz for more information.
  • For minor illnesses, talk to your pharmacist or make an appointment with your GP.
  • After-hours clinics are operating.

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, or GPs? 

Aged Residential Care facilities, St John Ambulance, GPs, and hospice services are not affected by the strike and will operate as normal.

How do I find out more about the strikes in my area?

To find out more on how the strike might affect your local hospitals and healthcare services and for contact information, see your local Health NZ website.