1 June 2021

Nurses, midwives and health care assistants working at Whanganui District Health Board, who belong to New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO), are planning to strike from 11am to 7pm on Wednesday, 9 June 2021.

Lucy Adams, Whanganui District Health Board (WDHB) Chief Operating Officer/Director of Nursing, says WDHB recognises the legal right of NZNO members to strike and appreciates the valuable work nurses, health care assistants and midwives do on a daily basis.

“Safe, quality care of patients and whānau is of utmost importance on the day of the strike, as it is any other day. We want to assure the community that life preserving services will be maintained to prevent patient harm or deterioration during the strike period,” says Ms Adams.

If your surgery or outpatient appointments are deferred, you will be contacted and provided with a timeframe for future surgery.

The strike does not affect the oncology clinic. If you have an appointment for the oncology clinic, please keep your appointment and turn up as scheduled.

Appointments for those in Group 3 booked for a COVID-19 vaccination will still go ahead.

If you are unwell or have mild injuries on 9 June, please call 0800 611 116 or call your general practice (GP) in the first instance.

We are pleased to officially release WDHB’s He Hāpori Ora Thriving Communities Strategic Direction 2020-2023 strategy document and video.

We will continue to action the focus areas outlined in our strategy to ensure that the people of the Whanganui District Health Board rohe are thriving. We continue to take heart that our strategy aligns to the indicative position announced by government through the recent New Zealand Health Service announcement.

All of New Zealand is at Alert Level 1, but it is important that we remain alert and continue to follow the health and safety procedures that have served us so well. 

If you are unwell 

 If you’re sick, stay home. Do not go to work or school. Do not socialise. 

• If you have cold, flu or COVID-19 symptoms, call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or your doctor to get advice about being tested. 
• COVID-19 testing is free 
• If you have been told to self-isolate you legally must do so immediately. 

 COVID-19 symptoms include: 

• a new or worsening cough 
• a fever of at least 38°C 
• shortness of breath 
• sore throat 
• sneezing and runny nose  
• temporary loss of smell
• muscle aches and fatigue

Keep track of where you’ve been 

You should keep track of where you’ve been and who you’ve seen. This helps with rapid contact tracing if it’s required. 

How to keep track of where you’ve been 

Face coverings

Face masks are now mandatory on all public transport in New Zealand and on all domestic flights. They are also encouraged when out and about in crowds or among strangers.

Hospital services at Alert Level 1 

Primary health services are operating as normal but we encourage everyone in our hospital to maintain high hygiene standards 

such as cough etiquette, washing your hands regularly, and maintaining social distancing when possible.

Visiting Whanganui Hospital at Alert Level 1    

• Consider your need to visit the hospital if you are unwell with COVID-19 symptoms. Please call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 if you are concerned about COVID-19 symptoms or visit the community based assessment centre (CBAC) on the Whanganui Hospital campus
• If you need emergency care, should go to Whanganui Emergency Department or Whanganui Accident Emergency on the Whanganui Hospital. We are here for you during all COVID-19 Alert Levels.
• Wash your hands and use hand sanitiser regularly
• Keep a record of where you have been using the Ministry of Health COVID-19 Tracer app to scan QR codes at the hospital and keep track of your movements. The more we scan, the safer we will be
• Sometimes our staff may need to limit visitor numbers. 

Whanganui Hospital visiting hours are from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.                                                                                                                                              

Please visit Unite Against Covid or the Ministry of Health website for national information about Covid-19. 

Whanganui Hospital visiting hours are from 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.       

Remember: If you are unwell, please stay away and phone Healthline or your GP for advice.

COVID-19 testing: Community based assessment centre (CBAC)                     

The CBAC on the Whanganui Hospital campus, which provides tests for COVID-19, will be open from 8am to 12noon, Monday to Friday.

Testing at the CBAC is only for: 

• people with COVID-19 symptoms 
• people who have visited a location of interest
• people who have been advised to get a test by Healthline. 

Outside these times, please call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or go to Whanganui Accident and Medical (WAM) which is open 8am to 9pm, seven days a week or call 06 348 1300 for WAM.

The hospital CBAC is a drive-through/walk-up facility. No appointment is needed and there is no charge.

COVID-19 testing: General practices 

General practices (GPs) in Raetihi, Taihape, Bulls and Marton can assess their rural communities – please ring first.