District Health Boards are disappointed nurses have rejected the revised offer recommended by their union after facilitation.

DHB spokesperson Helen Mason, says DHBs' primary concern at this point is ensuring the safety of patients and staff.

'We have already asked the Employment Relations Authority to help find a way forward.

'We respect nurses right to strike in support of their claims, we also need to recognise that negotiation involves a degree of compromise – we have moved significantly over the last six months and have made an excellent offer.”

Helen says hospitals around the country are very busy at this time of year and have already experienced significant disruption as a result of deferring services in the lead up to the last threatened strike and the action planned for this Thursday.

'Nurses are highly skilled professionals and those skills cannot be easily replaced – DHBs and nurses have an obligation to provide emergency and essential services, although we will be under pressure to provide the same care in the same way.

'It's still not too late to prevent this disruption and we urge the NZNO and its members to help us try and find a way froward.”

Helen says if the strike goes ahead, emergency and essential services will be provided and people should not delay seeking medical treatment and go to hospital if the matter is urgent.

They should dial 111 for emergencies or an ambulance.

For all other matters people should do what they normally do and visit their GP or visit a local pharmacy, and free medical advice is available 24/7 through Healthline (phone 0800 Healthline - 0800 611 116).