Proposed Strike Action by Medical Imaging Technologists (MIT) who are Members of APEX (Association of Professionals and Executive Employees Inc) 23 Aug 2019

The Bay of Plenty District Health Board has received notice of the proposed withdrawal of labour by the MIT staff (radiographers) employed by the BOPDHB, from 0700 hours on Monday 26 August, to 0700 hours on Tuesday 27 August. The notice affects all 20 DHBs.

The Bay of Plenty District Health Board has received notice of the proposed withdrawal of labour by the MIT staff (radiographers) employed by the BOPDHB, from 0700 hours on Monday 26 August, to 0700 hours on Tuesday 27 August. The notice affects all 20 DHBs.

MIT staff perform x-rays, CT scans and assist with a number of radiology procedures, for example insertion of pacemakers in the Cardiac Catheter Lab and other interventional procedures. 

This proposed strike action will have a significant impact on service delivery at both Tauranga and Whakatāne Hospitals, as the work the MIT team completes is an essential part of elective and acute activity performed in our hospitals.

Contingency planning is already underway and we are doing our utmost to ensure patient safety leading up to and throughout this proposed 24 hour period of industrial action. Unfortunately, we will need to reduce planned services significantly, which will include the postponement of some elective services.

We respect the right of staff to strike hence the importance we put on contingency planning to ensure the safety of patients, visitors and staff. 

We are using our usual Primary Care hotlines for GPs to call directly into our hospitals. These calls will go to the switchboard, and the operator will forward you to the person you request. The phone numbers are:

Tauranga           07 579 8044
Whakatāne        07 306 6777

Services which will be reduced
Services affected will be those who require MIT’s to complete radiographic imaging for diagnostic and interventional purposes. All services will remain open, however many will have significantly reduced services available.

• Radiology Services will be offering normal ultrasound and MRI services during the MIT Strike period; however there will be limited access to General x-ray and CT scan services.
• The Cardiac Catheter Lab, Fluoroscopy and Interventional services will not be operational.

Services which remain open

• Emergency Departments
• Assessment Planning Unit, APU (Tauranga)
• Intensive Care Unit/CCU/HDU (Tauranga), Acute Care Unit (Whakatāne) 
• Paediatric Wards (Tauranga and Whakatāne)
• Maternity Units (Tauranga and Whakatāne)
• Special Care Baby Units (Tauranga and Whakatāne)
• Emergency (acute) surgery
• Mental Health and Addiction Inpatients' Wards
• Public Health Services (Toi Te Ora)
• Renal Dialysis Unit (Tauranga)
• Medical and Surgical Inpatients’ Wards
• Clinical Physiology
• Ambulatory Care.

 
We request that during this period you refer only patients that clearly demand immediate hospital intervention or treatment.

If you have any particular concerns please do not hesitate to contact me anytime via email dorothy.mckeown@bopdhb.govt.nz or phone 027 836 1896.

We appreciate your co-operation through this proposed period of industrial action.

Dorothy McKeown
Lead Contingency Planner
Bay of Plenty District Health Board