A "culture of conflict" at Timaru Hospital is behind today's six-hour strike by senior doctors, says Association of Salaried Medical Specialists president Peter Roberts.
The strike is the fourth time senior doctors have been on strike this month. Each time doctors stop elective surgery for six hours but emergency cover remains
in place. The fifth strike is scheduled for March 7.
Dr Roberts said today that Timaru had always been at the bottom nationally in terms of remuneration and allowances for senior doctors' extra work.
"They're not covered or supported by registrars, and they have only a thin layer of house surgeons to help them out," Dr Roberts told National Radio.
He said management was not providing support for senior doctors.
"They have maintained a culture of conflict which has led to people walking away, to people being particularly disgruntled.
"We're not convinced more money is going to change this. The real issue is a blance of priorities for management," Dr Roberts said.
Board chairman Joe Butterfield said yesterday he would not comment on the board getting involved because a new offer had been made by management which doctors were considering.
- NZPA
