FINAL letter to PHOs, GPs & other providers Along with all other DHBs, the BOPDHB has received notice from the midwives’ union, MERAS, of intended full withdrawal of labour strike action. At the BOPDHB this will be an 8-hour strike and will take place on Tuesday 10 August between the hours of 1100-1900 (11am-7pm). The majority of our midwifery workforce at both Tauranga and Whakatāne are MERAS members. We take the impact of this strike action seriously and our contingency planning is well underway to ensure people have access to the services they need. The strike action covers only DHB midwives who are employed on the MERAS Agreement. Our priority is the safety of our women and their babies and we’ve started contingency planning to ensure people have access to the services they need. Life Preserving Services (LPS) are being agreed with the union to keep everyone safe during the strike action. Outpatient services and elective caesarean sections have all been deferred and the clients have been informed of this and rescheduled to an alternative day. Transfers of clients to the BOPDHB maternity units should proceed as normal. However, please ensure that communications with the maternity units regarding transfers is undertaken at soon as possible. No clients will be turned away. DHBs are keen to continue talking to the union. Thank you for your understanding and support during this time. If you have any questions our contact details are below.
Judith Madsen Acting Midwife Leader Judith.madsen@bopdhb.govt.nz Phone: 021 242 6085