Doctors' strike action set to escalate

Gisborne Hospital senior doctors presented their case for inflation-adjusted wage increases to the public during their two-hour strike yesterday. Picture supplied

Gisborne Hospital senior doctors went on another two-hour strike yesterday as they continue to campaign for wage increases that reflect the cost of living.

Thousands of senior doctors and dentists who work at Te Whatu Ora public hospitals and health facilities and are members of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) went on the second of three scheduled strikes around New Zealand.

Public hospitals have been given notice of another strike on Thursday, September 21, for four hours.

ASMS executive director Sarah Dalton said the strikes were unprecedented and members could be balloted for a fourth, longer strike.

She said members appreciated the “really strong showing of nurses” around the country, particularly in places like Tairāwhiti where ASMS doctors supported nurses during their health and safety strike concerning Ward 5.

Ms Dalton visited Gisborne during that nurses’ strike.

New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) have indicated their support for the ASMS strike.

NZNO president Anne Daniels said asking senior doctors and dentists to take a pay cut by not offering increases that match the CPI was both unfair and short-sighted.

“We are at a time when health professionals are leaving their jobs at unprecedented rates.

“The work is endless, the pressures are high and the prospect of burnout is very real.

“Refusing fair pay lifts is just going to exacerbate the problem, causing more doctors to leave or retire early.

“It’s hard enough right now to get an appointment with a doctor and this has already resulted in massive pressures on emergency departments, which affects us all.”

Ms Daniels said that, like nurses, senior doctors and dentists cared about their patients and they were going on strike for the good of their profession’s future.

They want wages that properly recognise the qualifications and contributions of senior doctors in the public system - by at least matching the inflation rate - will help reduce the number leaving for overseas or private sector positions, she said.

“NZNO calls on Te Whatu Ora to show more foresight.

“Asking senior doctors and dentists to take a pay cut will just further reduce the availability of health services to everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“Our whānau, our loved ones and our communities need their doctors and dentists.

“Give them at least the cost of living so more will stay.”