Next week's junior doctors' strike has forced the Waikato District Health Board to postpone and reschedule a number of outpatient and mental health clinics, and non-emergency surgeries.

The three-day strike will see a complete withdrawal of labour by members of the Resident Doctors Association from 7am on Tuesday, January 17, to 8am on Friday, January 20.

However, the Waikato DHB says Thames Hospital will be mostly unaffected.

About 400 outpatient and 100 inpatient appointments are being rescheduled so senior doctors can focus on caring for patients in Waikato hospital's Emergency Department, Intensive Care and Maternity.

The board employs 420 junior doctors, who mostly working out of Waikato Hospital, with about 70 per cent of these doctor members of the RDA. As part of its contingency planning, the hospital is working on the basis that all of these union members will be on strike.

Waikato DHB acting chief medical officer Dr Doug Stephenson says junior doctors make up the bulk of the board's medical workforce and we are highly dependent on them.

'We've invested heavily in our junior doctors over the last few years, dramatically increasing their numbers, so the consequences of many of them striking is that we only have enough senior doctors to provide urgent care.

'We will need to reduce the number of patients in the hospital over the period leading up to and during the proposed industrial action, deferring planned surgery and clinic visits which creates a lot of angst for our patients.”

Doug says hospital doctors and managers have spent a lot of time on contingency planning to ensure patient safety over the 73 hours of the strike and that he personally worked overnight shifts in the Emergency Department during the last strike in October.

'This will be the third time in four months we've had to shift all of our energy and a significant amount of time to cover the roster to assure patient safety. Although the second strike was called off in November, much of the planning had already been done.”

Should the strike notice be lifted, services will resume.

The public is again being reminded to keep the emergency department for emergencies only - if your illness or injury is not urgent you may face long delays, adds Doug.

'It's better to go to your family doctor or local private accident and medical clinic when symptoms first appear rather than becoming seriously ill and needing emergency services.”

Patients can also contact Healthline for advice on 0800 611 611. Waikato DHB also has a new free online out of hours doctor service for people who can't get to see a doctor easily on an evening or weekends which is available at: www.smarthealth.org.nz

The hospital has also set up a free helpline number for those who are unsure about their appointment. To find out about your appointment call 0800 276 216.

The Waikato District Health Board employs 420 junior doctors who mostly working out of Waikato Hospital. Photo: Waikato DHB