Senior Doctors Strike for 48 Hours in Pay Dispute with Health NZ

Approximately 6,000 senior hospital doctors and dentists commenced a 48-hour strike just after midnight on July 31, 2023, escalating tensions in a protracted pay dispute with Health NZ. The strike, organized by the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS), is expected to affect thousands of patients and disrupt healthcare services across the country.

In a departure from his predecessors, who typically deferred to Health NZ during negotiations, Health Minister Simeon Brown has adopted a confrontational stance. He criticized the striking doctors, accusing them of abandoning patients and cancelling care. Brown expressed disappointment over the union’s refusal to enter binding arbitration, which he claims could have resolved the dispute.

Patient Perspectives on the Strike

Patients are expressing frustration over the ongoing situation. Charyl Robinson, a cancer patient from Wellington, had her surgery cancelled due to the recent nurses’ strike and voiced her support for healthcare workers. “I worry that doctors are not being valued here the way they are overseas,” she said, adding that the government’s financial decisions prioritize other expenditures over healthcare.

Robinson, also a co-founder of the advocacy group Vape Free Kids, criticized the government for its “frivolous spending” on tax breaks for tobacco companies while failing to adequately support frontline healthcare workers. “Sitting there in that hospital, my blood was boiling,” she remarked, highlighting the disparity between government spending priorities and the needs of patients.

Another patient, who spent four days in North Shore Hospital after an emergency admission, described the reality of healthcare as contrary to the minister’s claims. He remarked that the dedication and goodwill of medical professionals are what keep the system functioning, despite years of underinvestment and increasing workloads. “If I were to describe the staff, I would liken them to All Blacks, only far more skilled,” he said, emphasizing their commitment during long shifts.

Health NZ’s Response and Future Implications

In response to the strike, Health NZ has applied to the Employment Relations Authority for intervention, stating that it has exhausted all bargaining options with the ASMS. Dr Richard Sullivan, Health NZ’s national clinical director, expressed frustration after multiple rounds of negotiations yielded no satisfactory outcomes. He indicated that the health system needs to ensure certainty for patients and has been left with no choice but to seek a resolution through external measures.

During the strike, while hospitals remain operational, many clinics will close, and planned surgeries will be postponed. It is estimated that over 1,800 elective procedures, more than 3,600 first specialist appointments, and around 7,000 follow-up appointments will be affected. Emergency care will still be available for those in need, but patients are advised that waiting times could increase during the strike.

The ASMS maintains that its members have yet to receive a competitive pay offer, describing the current proposals as a “pay cut in real terms” amidst a workforce shortage crisis. Sarah Dalton, executive director of the ASMS, emphasized that the union members are not abandoning their patients but are advocating for fair compensation to attract and retain skilled medical professionals in New Zealand.

The strike is set to conclude at 11:59 PM on August 2, 2023, and while an agreement exists to provide life-preserving services, the healthcare system may face continued challenges if the underlying pay dispute remains unresolved.