The list of patients waiting for X-rays and surgery was huge after the Auckland radiographers strike over the weekend and today they will walk off the job again.
Contingency planning co-ordinator Anne Aitcheson says each District Health Board (DHB) has its own plans in place.
These plans would have been communicated locally, she told NZPA.
"The key point to remember is that if you are really sick, then get medical help. Either go to your own doctor or medical centre for an initial assessment and a referral if necessary, or go to the emergency department," she said.
Christchurch radiographers have pulled out of today's national action following Saturday's devastating earthquake which sent hundreds of people to hospitals, mostly with minor injuries.
Outpatients should already have been advised if appointments have been cancelled.
"In fact, not a lot of clinics have had to be cancelled," says Ms Aitcheson.
"We have also prepared surgery lists for those whose surgery can proceed in spite of the action - this is for patients who won't need access to X-rays for their surgery to be performed. Those who have surgery booked - and have been advised by hospitals that this is the case - should keep their appointments," she added.
While the strike action continues, DHBs say the union's claims remain outside the parameters that the DHBs consider affordable.
Negotiation spokeswoman Karen Roach said the respective positions would be considered by the DHBs' strategy group this week.
"DHBs have been clear about their ability to afford the union's claims," she said.
"The sort of settlement being offered to MRTs was enough for 75 percent of the DHB workforce - including nurses and allied health staff," she said.
DHBs have undertaken to cost the additional impact of the union's current claims, to see how much they are likely to add to the cost of the settlement.
"The offer we have put to Apex is fair and reasonable. Any further funds used in these negotiations will need to be redirected from services DHBs plan to provide to the public," Ms Roach said.
"While the unions continue to threaten and carry out strike action, the DHBs are focused on ensuring that the public is safe. It is disappointing that the union's demands have led us to this point," she added.
Striking radiographers returned to work in Auckland yesterday after a three-day strike but will walk off the job again today to join the strike, which is nationwide (excluding Taranaki and Christchurch).
Auckland radiographers walked off on Friday after last-minute talks with DHBs failed to resolve their dispute.
The strike which ended on Sunday night added hundreds of patients to the backlog of those already waiting for surgery and x-rays.
Auckland hospitals said they coped well after the radiographers' union, Apex, agreed to do life-preserving and limb-preserving work.
Auckland District Health Board spokesman Matthew Rogers said disruption was limited although elective surgery was cancelled at the Auckland City and Starship hospitals.
Chief medical officer Margaret Wilsher said the list of patients waiting for images and surgery was huge.
Bernadette Gourley, from Apex, said negotiations with the DHBs had failed to resolve the dispute leaving the union with no option but to press ahead with today's action.
NZPA / 3 News