File photoThe Southern District Health Board will be postponing many elective surgeries and outpatient appointments in the lead up to an expected nurses strike next week. The SDHB said it had already begun contacting patients before New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) nurses, midwives and healthcare workers planned to strike on June 9. SDHB executive director specialist services Patrick Ng said affected patients were being contacted by phone and/or letter to inform them of the postponements. Rural hospitals in Gore, Balclutha, Oamaru, Ranfurly, and Dunstan, as well as general practices and most other health services across the district are not directly affected by the strike action. Lakes District Hospital.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 01, 2021 01:30 UTC