Resident doctors gave notice on January 1 of a 48-hour strike on January 15 and 16, after talks to settle their collective employment contract broke down.
Some DHBs have already started rescheduling surgery booked in for the strike period, but Southern was awaiting the outcome of two days of mediation between the doctors' union, the Resident Doctors Association, and DHBs, which starts today.
''Southern DHB has not yet postponed surgeries. However we are preparing to do so should we need to,'' chief executive Chris Fleming said.
''Contingency planning is under way, which includes rostering, ensuring urgent care and essential services are supported, as well as determining which planned surgeries, procedures and appointments may have to be postponed.''
