Elective surgery and most outpatient clinics will be impacted if the planned one-day nurses’ strike on June 9 goes ahead but urgent cases will continue to be dealt with, says the Lakes District Health Board.

In a release on Tuesday, the DHB said planners were working closely with managers and clinical leaders to ensure the provision of essential emergency services, intensive care, and maternity care during the eight-hour action.

The strike would cover two nursing shifts, the release said.

Staff in nursing, midwifery, and healthcare assistant roles will walk out for eight hours from 11am until 7pm on June 9, in the protest over pay and conditions.

The strike is part of a national campaign by 30,000 union members.

Contingency planner Nina Hartley said staff were trying to reduce the number of patients in the hospital in the days leading up to the strike, but winter and other pressures were expected to make this difficult.

Hartley said decisions would allow clinical staff to focus on those in most need.

“Arrangements are being made to ensure anyone needing essential medical care will get the help they need, but we cannot underestimate the impact of this strike.”

The strike action will involve a complete withdrawal of labour by members of the NZNO.

Around 730 nurses are employed by Lakes DHB, many of them are union members.

While all elective procedures were being postponed, a few nursing staff would be on call to allow for emergency surgery to proceed.

The emergency departments at Rotorua and Taupō Hospitals would only be able to deal with urgent cases during the industrial action, the release said.

The DHB urged people to make sure they were up to date with prescriptions and other requirements and, in case of difficulty, to make their GP or Lakes PrimeCare the first port of call.

People should not delay seeking medical treatment or going to hospital if the matter was urgent, said the DHB.

Credit:Stuff.co.nz