Junior Doctors' Pay Talks Settled

Media Statement - 9 October 2008

Junior Doctors' Pay Talks Settled

District Health Boards are pleased that Junior Doctors have accepted and ratified the pay deal with DHBs says spokesperson David Meates.

"This is really good news as it clears the way for us to start talking about long-term solutions to the workforce challenges we face and working towards a system that will provide excellent training and competitive terms and conditions

"The settlement is within the 4.25% a year parameters that were on the table before the doctors went on strike," says Mr Meates. "Importantly for the sector, this deal is in line with other health settlements over the last 12 months."

The real positive is that this deal clears the way for the Director-General of Health's RMO Workforce Commission to examine evidence from around the world and consult with the wider clinical community and recommend solutions to the very real challenges we face as a sector.

Junior Doctors and their union now have the opportunity to work alongside groups such as Senior Doctors, the Medical Council, the Council of Colleges and the Medical Training Board to find solutions to the same growing workforce pressures faced by health systems all over the world.

"Pay talks alone won't solve these problems, the answer lies in working collaboratively with the wider clinical community to test and explore options that will meet the training and development needs of our medical workforce, and most importantly, the long term health needs of New Zealanders."

ENDS

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