Senior doctors to get out of employment in May as a payment of negotiations

Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook

New Zealand health says it is “disappointed” and “very concerned” about the impact that a planned strike of senior doctors will have on patients.

The Association of Subjective Medical Specialists (ASMS) has confirmed that up to 5500 members will leave work for 24 hours on May 1, after the negotiations paid stopped.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Health New Zealand said it was alerted to an industrial action planned by the union.

The agency’s clinical director, Dr. Richard Sullivan, said that if the planned strike is later, it could cause the cancellation of about 4300 planned procedures or first specialized consultations, along with the postponement of thousands of radiology procedures.

“We are disappointed by this planned strike action affecting the work our teams are doing to reduce waiting times for New Zealandes and will result in additional delays for people who need care,” he said.

“We are still focused on reaching an agreement with ASMs and avoiding any interruption in patients and the broader health care system.

“We believe that the proposals submitted so far are fair, given the current economic situation.”

Public hospitals and emergency departments would remain open and health professionals would still be available to ensure critical health services were in force, Sullivan said.

“We will work with ASMS to ensure the continuous provision of critical hospital services and to minimize the impact of the strike on other assistance services.

“To maintain patient safety, some clinics will be closed and planned service consultations will be postponed.

“All patients affected by the strike will be contacted directly by the hospital team.”

Health New Zealand said any deferred commitment because of the strike action would be rescheduled.

Simeon Brown.
Photo: RNZ / REECE PADIER

In a series of posts at X, Health Minister Simeon Brown lamented the change in senior doctors reaching.

“The attack does not shorten the waiting lists. Leaving work will not fix the system pressure. But it will delay the service to thousands of New Zealandes who have waited a long time.”

New Zealand’s health has remained at the table and is ready to negotiate in good faith, Brown said.

“Straver is not leadership. It’s failing in patients – and the New Zealandes expect better.”

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