• Peter Dzendrowskyj, Geoff Shaw, and Lucy Johnston.
• Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Middlemore Hospital, Otahuhu, Auckland, New Zealand. Pdzendro@middlemore.co.nz
• N. Z. Med. J. 2004 Nov 5; 117 (1205): U1150.

AimsIn December 2001, nursing industrial action occurred at Christchurch Hospital. This study assesses the effect industrial action had on relatives of those Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients involved.MethodA written questionnaire was sent to the relatives of the 17 patients on Intensive Care around the time of the strike; 11 of these patients had needed to be transferred to out of region hospitals for continuing care, whilst the others remained in the intensive care unit. Comparisons were made with a control group of 26 next-of-kin.ResultsCompared with relatives of patients not involved in the strike, relatives involved during the strike were significantly more angry (p<0.007) and less trusting that the patients had received the best possible care (p<0.05). Compared to the control group, they were also more negative in their continuing view of the healthcare system (p<0.05). Those relatives involved in air transfers were more distressed (p<0.05), angry (p<0.001), and less trusting than those not involved in a transfer (p<0.005).ConclusionThe study shows that industrial action caused measurable distress and anxiety to the relatives involved some 16 months after the strike, especially in patients who were transferred. A persistent negative perception of the healthcare system in New Zealand could be demonstrated in this group.

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