Young doctors' strike 'disappointing'

Hauora Tairawhiti clinical director surgical Dr Johan Peters said he was disappointed by local strike action. Picture by Liam Clayton

THE strike by young doctors at Gisborne Hospital tomorrow is disappointing, says Hauora Tairawhiti clinical director surgical Dr Johan Peters.

From 7am tomorrow up to 15 young doctors who work for Hauora Tairawhiti, the District Health Board (DHB) that manages Gisborne Hospital, will strike until 8am Friday to support their colleagues around the country.

Members of the Resident Doctors Association, the union for young doctors, are striking in protest at what they say are unsafe working conditions under District Health Boards in other parts of New Zealand.

These include young doctors working 12 days in a row, and night shifts of seven days in a row.

Dr Peters said the continued industrial action in Gisborne was disappointing, considering Hauora Tairawhiti Registered Medical Officers (RMOs or junior doctors) had worked safe rosters since 2014.

“Hauora Tairawhiti was the first DHB to introduce split nights working only a maximum of four nights in a row and not working more than 10 days in a row, more than what RMOs are asking for nationally.”

Dr Peters said their focus was to ensure a high standard of care could continue throughout the 73-hour strike.

“Safe hospital services will be in place," he said.

“However, there will be significant disruption to what planned services we can provide during the strike. A significant number of people who would normally receive planned surgery, treatment or a consultant appointment won’t.”

Dr Peters said they would focus on urgent and critical care during the strike.

“We need to reduce the number of patients in the hospital over the period leading up to and during the industrial action, deferring planned surgery and clinic visits. We realise this creates a lot of angst for our patients, but we have limited choice,” he said.

“We would like to assure all our patients that we are here if you need us. Our Emergency Department will be open for emergencies. Other medical staff will be available and we will be providing acute services. However, during the strike dates, if your condition is not urgent or severe then I would encourage you to please contact your GP in the first instance or ring Healthline on 0800 311 116. It’s free and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”