Senior doctors and dentists at Health NZ public hospitals and health services plan to strike for 48 hours on Tuesday 23 September and Wednesday 24 September.
Emergency departments will be open for emergencies only.
GPs, after-hours and urgent care clinics, and other community health providers are not affected by the strikes and will continue to operate as normal.
If your healthcare provider decides that you may need surgery on the same day that you see them, you will be sent to the surgical assessment and review area (SARA) at Christchurch Hospital.
The SARA unit is in:
Ward B3
3rd floor
Waipapa Building
Christchurch Hospital
Christchurch Hospital mapexternal linkPDF
SARA is open from 7 am until 10:30 pm every day.
We provide acute (same day) surgical assessment for people with urgent needs.
When you are sent to the SARA unit, it means you will be seen by the general surgical team without having to first go to the emergency department (ED).
You may need to come to us through ED if:
SARA is staffed by nurses and the surgical doctors on call for the day. A surgical consultant is also here to assess you if needed.
When you arrive at the SARA unit, you will be assessed by a nurse who will record things like your:
They may get you to do a urine sample or take a blood sample from you for laboratory testing, if this has been requested.
You will not be able to eat or drink until you have been seen by a doctor.
A doctor will then see you and talk to you about your symptoms and your medical history. They will also examine you and prescribe your usual medications and other medications you may need (such as pain relief, anti-nausea medication and antibiotics).
Depending on your condition, you might need further tests such as an:
The doctor may observe you for a while to see what happens to your symptoms, or they may get you ready for surgery if this is needed.
Depending on how you are feeling and how busy SARA is, you may need to wait in the lounge area. It is a good idea to bring a book or activity to do while you wait.
