9th November 2023 Re: Physiotherapists Strike Tauranga and Whakatāne hospitals As you are aware Physiotherapists who are members of the APEX union, based out of Tauranga and Whakatāne hospitals have issued notices to extend their strike action until 18th December. What are the dates: Tauranga: Initial strike action Started: 0730 hours on Saturday 18th Oct Ends: 0730 hours on Saturday 18th Nov Extension including Whakatāne Hospital Starts: 0731 hours on Saturday 18th Nov Ends: 0730 hours on Monday 18th Dec What is the impact: • •
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No acceptance of referrals from GPs to physiotherapy outpatient services No physiotherapy service provision related to planned surgical intervention including: o Pre op assessment o Pre op home visits and associated intervention e.g., equipment provision o All post op activity including inpatient admissions, outpatient individual or group follow up and community follow up. Members working in outpatients’ services will see a maximum of one patient an hour they are rostered to work daily.
The intended strike action will affect all planned care follow up for Tauranga hospital and only hip and knee planned care follow up for Whakatāne and all GP referrals into both services. If you have previously sent a referral to Tauranga physiotherapy outpatient department, and received a decline due to strike note, these referrals will be held, and an appointment will be made after the strike has finished. Contingency plan: •
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ACC referrals: please send to private providers. Patients can contact ACC for support with community visits, travel, or surcharges to attend private practitioners, on the grounds of hardship. GP Referrals to outpatient physiotherapy services will be held by Te Whatu Ora during the strike period and will be actioned when the strike finishes. Please consider a referral to private practice if this is an option for patients. Non-ACC post birth tear, pelvic health referrals can be sent to the midwives who can then refer to physiotherapy.
Te Whatu Ora Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty TeWhatuOra.govt.nz Hauora a Toi Bay of Plenty Private Bag 12024, Tauranga, 3143 Waea pūkoro: +64 07 579 8000