Hospital turmoil feared as doctors announce strike

By MATHEW DEARNALEY

Public hospitals throughout New Zealand are threatened with six days of turmoil during a national strike by more than 2000 junior doctors.

Notice from the Resident Doctors Association yesterday of a strike due to start on Tuesday, November 2, was greeted with dismay by the country's 21 district health boards and senior doctors on whom they will rely to provide emergency cover.

Boards spokeswoman Jean O'Callaghan said last night that the 21 would have to assess individually how the strike would hit them, but all except emergency services were likely to be suspended.

Hospitals would need to start phasing down services in the countdown to a strike which she said was unnecessary and could have been avoided with just a little more time at negotiations.

But although Ms O'Callaghan insisted patient safety would remain paramount, the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists has cast grave doubt on the ability of its 2400 or so senior doctor members to cope.

"It is a catastrophe because we simply don't have the resources to provide safe emergency cover," said executive director Ian Powell.

His concern was magnified by the fact the junior doctors intended striking nationally for the first time, meaning there would be no alternative public hospitals available to back up those left in difficulties.

He added that junior doctors, who include house surgeons and registrars, performed work which many medical consultants represented by his organisation had not done for many years.

The strike will include Guy Fawkes night, and Mr Powell suggested people everywhere would have to take extra care not to expose themselves to unnecessary risks for its duration.

Resident Doctors Association secretary Dr Deborah Powell said her members were not seeking a pay rise but needed more time off to guarantee safe performance.

Although health boards were not allowed to roster her members for more than 72 hours a week, she said the limit was frequently exceeded and a claim for penalty payments was rejected during negotiations which began in May.

"This is a health and safety issue; we are just dog tired," Dr Powell said.

"We are prepared to forgo a cost-of-living increase, we gave up a pay rise so we are actually safer to work with our patients."

She said doctors wanted to work no more than 10 days at a stretch, rather than 12 days now, and were sick of being rostered for seven consecutive 10-hour night shifts.

Ms O'Callaghan, chief executive of Canterbury District Health Board, said the union had jumped the gun by not giving the 21 employers enough time to accurately assess the cost of complex claims.

She said health boards had made provision to meet the doctors' claim, but the union was threatening to cripple the country's hospitals until it got what it wanted.

"Throwing more money at the problem and putting more trainee doctors on ward floors hasn't worked in the past, and is not an option for the future."