KEY POINTS:
Junior doctors have ratified the collective agreement negotiated with district health boards last month.
The ratification of the settlement, which features an 8.68 per cent pay rise, was announced yesterday by New Zealand Resident Doctors Association (NZRDA) general secretary Deborah Powell.
Early last month district health boards spokesman David Meates announced that the long-running dispute with the doctors had been settled, subject to ratification.
He said the 21 boards were pleased to have agreed terms of settlement with the association, which represents more than 2000 junior doctors employed by the boards.
Yesterday's announcement was "really good news", Mr Meates said.
"It clears the way for us to start talking about long-term solutions to the workforce challenges we face and working towards a system that will provide excellent training and competitive terms and conditions."
The ratification brings to an end a 15-month dispute. The doctors walked off the job in May over their claim for an almost 10 per cent pay increase for each of the next three years.
The main features of the settlement include:
* An 8.68 per cent pay rise effective August 2008 with a further 2 per cent in 8 months.
* 5 per cent back pay payment for the months the parties have been in negotiations.
* Additional improvements in the salary scale for registrars.
* Registrars are to receive additional conference leave and more recognition for time spent in clinical research.
* Hourly rates have been increased to between $75 and $100 per hour for doctors covering night shifts in addition to their normal duties.
The new agreement expires in December 2009.
Dr Powell said further benefits, such as a commitment by the boards to introduce part-time opportunities for resident doctors, were included in the agreement.
"Currently the DHBs provide few opportunities for resident doctors to work part time, leaving those that wish to reduce their hours effectively having to locum," she said.
"With the average hours worked by a resident doctor between 55 and 60 per week and over 50 per cent of residents now women, this particularly affects those trying to balance a career with family commitments."
Dr Powell said DHBs had also committed to providing either transport or taxi chits for those doctors who had worked four consecutive night shifts or more. "This recognises the fatigue these rostering practices impose on doctors. In the future NZRDA wishes to limit the number of consecutive nights resident doctors can be made to work due to concerns over the effects of fatigue on doctors and therefore patient care," she said.
Dr Powell said while the settlement addressed some concerns of resident doctors, it was unlikely to resolve the retention crisis New Zealand hospitals were facing.
- NZPA
