Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Safer Hours Mediation between NZRDA and DHBs set down

Safer Hours Mediation between NZRDA and DHBs set down for 12 September

Mediation between the NZ Resident Doctors Association and the District Health Boards has been set down for Monday, September 12.

The DHBs and NZRDA are in negotiation for renewal of the Resident Doctors and DHBs National Collective Employment Agreement (MECA), negotiations for which have stalled largely over the issue of safer hours for the doctors.

NZRDA is seeking to change current rostering patterns which see resident doctors work 7 (10 hour) night shifts in a row, and 12 day shifts in a row including two days of up to 16 hours with only 2 days off before returning to work.

“We are asking to work no more than 4 consecutive 10 hour night shifts and no more than 10 days in a row, with adequate recovery time before we return to work.” says Dr Deborah Powell, National Secretary of NZRDA. “Resident doctors will still work all the nights and all the weekends just as they always have, we just want to break these long stretches up, so the doctors don’t get so fatigued”.

After trying to resolve the issue at a local level for 4 years with only limited success, NZRDA has turned to the bargaining of their MECA to get definitive resolution. “The doctors are suffering from significant levels of fatigue on these long stretches and are a risk to themselves, their patients and members of the public.” says Dr Powell. “We can no longer wait in the hope the DHBs will do the right thing, sometime.”

NZRDA acknowledges Tairawhiti DHB which has improved all their rosters, as well as Northland and most recently Taranaki DHBs who have improved at least half of the affected rosters. “However of the 144 affected rosters identified nationally, over 80 remain unresolved and over 40 are only partially rectified.” Says Dr Powell. “This rate of change is simply too slow.”

www.saferhours.co.nz


ends

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.