Dame Helen Stokes-Lampard: National Chief Medical Officer for Health NZ on tomorrow's planned nurses' strike - Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Tens of thousands of nurses will walk off the job tomorrow.

Last-ditch talks between Health NZ and the country's biggest nurses' union have failed to stop a nationwide strike.

Health NZ estimates more than 4,000 planned procedures and specialist appointments will have to be postponed.

National Chief Medical Officer, Dame Helen Stokes-Lampard, says essential services will continue - but warns people needing non-emergency care should contact their GP or Healthline first.

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