Statement attributable to Dr Richard Sullivan, Acting Chief Executive Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand is frustrated and disappointed for patients that ongoing bargaining with the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) has failed to avert the planned 48-hour strike by senior doctors.

We listened carefully to what ASMS was seeking and responded with an improved package.

The package Health NZ has put forward this week represents an investment in excess of $160 million for the more than 5,500 senior doctors covered by the collective agreement.

We had hoped that ASMS would engage on how that package was applied, such as, increases to base pay and the application of a dedicated $40 million fund to recognise the work of senior doctors and support the workforce.

The package put forward this week would have cost taxpayers an additional $31 million over four years when compared to the offer made to senior doctors at the end of July.

These increases are in addition to the $5,900 annual step increase senior doctors receive until they reach the top of the 15-step pay scale.

We are disappointed ASMS has chosen not to progress bargaining on the basis of this improved package, which we consider to be a fair and reasonable way forward.

Given this, Health New Zealand will now be applying to the Employment Relations Authority to fix the terms and conditions of a collective agreement. We are very disappointed, to have to take this step but we have been in bargaining with ASMS for over a year, we have attended 11 days of formal bargaining, a number of informal meetings, mediation, six days of facilitated bargaining and accepted the invitation to binding arbitration which the union refused.

Despite this effort we have been unable to reach a settlement and we believe all bargaining options have been exhausted.

We believe the application for fixing is the best way forward to ensure certainty for New Zealanders.

Based on the impacts of the 24-hour strike by senior doctors’ in May it is estimated that the 48-hour strike next week will cause disruption for more than 13,000 patients.

It is estimated that over 1,800 elective procedures, over 3,600 first specialist appointments, around 7,000 follow-up appointments, and over 800 out-patient procedures will have to be postponed due to the strike action.

Contingency plans are in place to ensure those who need care the most will still be able to receive it, but the planned strikes on 23 & 24 September will see our hospitals disrupted for the entire week.

We are focused on maintaining safety for patients already in hospital and those needing emergency care during the strike. Hospitals and all emergency departments will remain open, with a small number of staff providing life-preserving services.

The public is encouraged to only use EDs for genuine emergencies. Patients with non-urgent needs will face longer delays to be seen.

Our advice for all patients during the strike is:

  • people requiring non-emergency care should contact their GP or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 in the first instance, because we need to keep EDs for emergencies only
  • all emergency departments will remain open
  • patients in hospital will receive safe care
  • unless you are contacted directly, please attend any scheduled outpatient appointment or treatment.