Junior doctors to strike

Taranaki’s District Health Board is preparing to close many of its services today as junior doctors strike again over a new roster system.

The New Zealand Resident Doctors’ Association (NZRDA), which represents most resident medical officers (RMOs or doctors in training), has issued notice of a

48-hour walkout, beginning at

8am today and running until 8am on Thursday.

DHB chief executive Rosemary Clements said in a statement that approximately 70 per cent of junior doctors have taken part in the past three strikes.

‘‘For the three strikes to date

459 patients have been impacted through deferment and rescheduling of surgery, procedures and outpatient appointments, including 56 for surgery, 20 procedures and 383 outpatient appointments.

‘‘Additional to this are those patients that have been rescheduled in order to ensure highest priority patients are seen first.’’

No formal complaints have been received but ‘‘naturally people are disappointed when we tell them we have to reschedule their appointment or operation’’, Clements said.

The hospital will continue to operate the emergency departments, emergency surgery, intensive care unit (ICU), maternity care and all wards, with the wider medical team stepping in to help.

Some services provided by Taranaki DHB may close before the date of the strike to ensure the number of patients in hospital is as low as possible, so that care can be provided safely.

The strike will affect the DHB financially but how much is not yet known, Clements said.

‘‘Taranaki DHB, like all DHBs, remains committed to bargaining in good faith.’’

The strike, the fourth this year, will be taking place nationwide, with the exception of Nelson because of the ‘‘fragile environment’’ following the wildfires, the NZRDA said.