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

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