11 Jul 2018

At least 3,500 surgeries deferred as nurses strike

From Morning Report, 8:23 am on 11 July 2018

In less than 24 hours a nationwide, 30,000-strong nurses strike looks likely to take place, disrupting health services across the country. That is unless last minute negotiations averts the industrial action. Nurses have not gone on strike for 30 years and never under current Life Preserving Services agreements designed to ensure patients are safe and well cared for during a strike. The industrial action will run from 7am Thursday until Friday morning. Anne Aitcheson is the lead national contingency planner for the 20 DHBS. She tells Guyon Espiner about 3,500 surgeries are being deferred in preparation for the strike.