NZMA alarmed at industrial situation

2 November, 2007

NZMA alarmed at industrial situation

The New Zealand Medical Association today expressed alarm that the industrial situation in the public hospital sector has deteriorated to the stage where ASMS, the senior hospital doctors' union, feels forced to take the unprecedented step of holding a ballot on limited industrial action.

NZMA Chairman Dr Peter Foley said: "All doctors are appalled that the Government has stood back and allowed the situation to get to this stage. The Minister, Ministry of Health, and the DHBs set the environment in which doctors work and they have shown that they do not value the profession's critical role in the delivery of health care.

"As major employers, we would expect the DHBs to show greater respect to their workforce, which is already under huge stress."

Dr Foley said: "This is another blow to the medical workforce, which is in a state of crisis. The new Minister of Health, David Cunliffe, needs to address these issues as his first priority. The NZMA and other medical organisations are ready to assist him."

ENDS

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