Doctors and DHBs hold second day of talks

File photo / NZH

District Health Boards (DHBs) and junior doctors have entered a second day of contract negotiations.

The junior doctors' union, the Resident Doctors Association, and DHBs first met yesterday to discuss a number of issues including rosters, training and work-life balance after the doctors accepted an interim 2 per cent pay increase in December.

The multi-employer collective agreement for junior doctors, or registered medical officers (RMOs), expired at the end of 2009.

DHBs spokeswoman Karen Roach last month said the Resident Doctors Association had "decided to engage constructively with DHBs".

DHBs believed it was time to change the way they interacted with junior doctors for their benefit and for the best delivery of health services, she said.

- NZPA