NZNO nurses’ strike action: December 2024

Nurses, healthcare assistants (HCAs) and midwives who belong to the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) union are planning to strike in December.

A full withdrawal of labour by these staff happened on Tuesday 3 December, 11am-7pm, at all Health NZ hospitals and services where NZNO members are employed.

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) union has issued further strike notices for its nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants (HCAs) employed by Health NZ.

The latest notices are for rolling four-hour full withdrawals of labour by these staff at different districts on different days.

The latest notices for a full withdrawal of labour by these staff in our region are:

• Wairarapa, Thursday 12 December, 1-5pm
• Hutt Valley on Friday 13 December, 1.00pm – 5.00pm.
• Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley on Wednesday 18 December, 1.00pm – 5.00pm.
  

See the Te Whatu Ora website for the full list of rolling strike notices.

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 strikes 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 a sudden decline of your health, do not delay seeking help. 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.

Unfortunately, some appointments will need to be rescheduled. If you have an appointment booked for the day of a planned strike, please come to your appointment unless you are contacted directly to have your appointment rescheduled.

Our nurses, healthcare assistants (HCAs) and midwives 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 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 hospital 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 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 strikes and will operate as normal.

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

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