Statement attributable to Cath Cronin, Deputy Chief Executive Te Manawa Taki Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is taking urgent steps to apply for facilitation to resolve the pay issue with senior doctors and avoid further disruption to thousands of New Zealanders’ planned care.

We met on Thursday in mediation with the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS), the union representing the doctors. We are deeply disappointed the union representing the doctors has not agreed to take our offer back to them.

The strike action planned will see an estimated 4,300 planned procedures postponed, causing further harm to patients waiting a long time for treatment, and will set back our work to provide New Zealanders with faster access to care.

We value our doctors and want to do the best we can for them, but the reality is that Health NZ has limited budget available for salary settlements within its tight financial constraints.

With the union’s refusal to take the offer to its members, we are applying for facilitation which would give an independent party the opportunity to hear from both sides and make a recommendation.

We believe we have been fair and realistic, including offering to remove the lowest pay steps for senior doctors.

A first-year specialist would receive a $17,700 (9.5%) increase on base salary due to removal of steps 1-3. All other salary related remuneration (eg KiwiSaver) would increase by 9.5% as well. In the following year, this specialist would receive a $12,211 (6.0%) base salary increase due to step progression and a 2% increase on Step 5. 

A second-year specialist would receive a $11,800 (6.2%) pay increase on base salary. All other salary related remuneration (eg KiwiSaver) would increase by 6.2% as well. In the following year, this doctor would receive a $12,211 (6.0%) base salary increase due to step progression and a 2% increase on Step 5. 

We have heard ASMS and have focused on their concern regarding growing and retaining our senior doctor workforce.

We offered our newly qualified SMOs a very substantial salary increase to help with this concern. The offer also includes increases to all other salaries of 3% over the next two years and a lump sum payment of $8000 to doctors with three years or more experience.

Additionally, we offered an incentive in hard to recruit districts which will assist in attracting and retaining senior doctors.

We are continuing with our advice to patients on what to expect if the strike does go ahead and will work with ASMS to ensure what’s known as life-preserving services are in place during the strike.

Hospitals and emergency departments will remain open, and health professionals will still be available to ensure the continued availability of health services for those who need them.