Resident doctors band together for ‘Safer Hours’

Media Release

13th September 2016

Resident doctors band together for ‘Safer Hours’

After a disappointing result from mediation with DHBs, Resident Doctors are waving their wrists around in a very literal way.

The New Zealand Resident Doctors Association (NZRDA) have released arms bands in support of resident doctors, labelled with the campaign’s slogan, ‘safer rosters, safer doctors, safer patients’.

Outside of Tairawhiti, the DHBs have failed to agree to ensure safer rosters are in place across the board leaving resident doctors continuing at work exhausted and fatigued. “We are not going to accept a ‘ safe some of the time’ approach in this fight for safer rosters, safer doctors and through them safer patients,” says Dr Deborah Powell, National Secretary of NZRDA. “We owe it to our members and to the patients they serve to fix this problem. Safety, day or night is the goal here.”

People across the health sector are already showing support to resident doctors. A radiology group from Taranaki sent us the following image:

The RDA has been publicising its message via social media, www.saferhours.co.nz ,media releases and is encouraging other groups to send their own images too. These will then be circulated through social media.

“The doctors have been heartened by both the public support for the stand they are making, as well as from their nursing, allied, scientific and technical colleagues with whom they work closely every day.” says Dr Powell.

DHBs have once again taken an adjournment, undertaking to respond further by 23/09.

www.saferhours.co.nz

Resident Doctors

Resident Doctors (RMOs or Resident Medical Officers) are registered medical practitioners, and range in experience from first year qualified doctors to those with more than 12 years’ experience. They primarily work in the public sector where they are employed by all 20 District Health Boards.

Resident doctors staff New Zealand’s public hospital system delivering 24/7 care to patients and also utilise this time to gain specialist qualifications as surgeons, physicians, paediatricians etc.

Resident Doctors are also employed in general practice as GP trainees; however these doctors are not involved in this dispute as they are not DHB employees.

© Scoop Media