A strike by New Zealand Registered Doctors' Association members next week will "have considerable impact on hospital health services" in the southern district according to Southern District Health Board chief executive Chris Fleming.

The five day strike will begin next Monday from 8am and run for five days until 8am on Saturday May 4.

In a statement released this afternoon, Mr Fleming said the full week of strike action was compounded by the fact the strike followed four two-day strikes in recent months.

"We remain absolutely committed to trying to work with the other DHBs and the RDA to find a solution that will work for all parties and we welcome the announcement last week that the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) has granted facilitation – though, it looks unlikely at this time that this will avert the strike."

Patients whose planned surgery or appointments are postponed due to the strike will be contacted directly by phone, text or letter.

Urgent surgeries, cancer treatments, renal dialysis, most maternity services and intensive care will continue as per normal, with hospital emergency departments will remain open.

"Patient health and safety is our foremost concern and we’re working to accommodate as many planned surgeries and clinics as possible," Mr Fleming said.

"We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding and I especially want to thank Southern DHB staff who are working extra hard providing care to patients and supporting one another under particularly challenging circumstances."

Mr Fleming encouraged people to only visit the emergency department in emergencies and for non-urgent matters to consult their GP or pharmacist, the urgent doctors or speak to a registered nurse via Healthline on 0800 611 116.

For critical and life threatening emergencies, dial 111.