Senior Doctor Retention Must Be A Key Issue In Negotiations

“Whether District Health Boards like it or not senior medical specialists are in an international market and retention should be a key strategic issue in the negotiations over their collective agreement,” CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

“Regardless of its timing, or even its methodology, the ASMS email survey showing New Zealand has lost 80 specialists to Australia in the last eighteen months should be taken as a very worrying signal by the DHB negotiators.  It is no answer for the DHB negotiator to respond with scorn and disregard to the union’s survey.“

“We have an excellent health system because we have excellent health professionals.  We should have a shared interest with DHBs in ensuring that conditions of employment are attractive enough to keep them here.”

“The tenor of these negotiations is worrying for the general public who need to have confidence in our health system.  A resolution to this dispute needs to be found quickly for all involved,” Ross Wilson said.