Overworked Public Hospital Specialists

MEDIA STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE,
THURSDAY 29 DECEMBER 2011
“Overworked Public Hospital Specialists Want New Year’s Resolution From Politicians”

“Overworked public hospital specialists want all politicians to make a New Year’s resolution committing them to actively support reducing their heavy workloads,” said Mr Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, today.

“Specialist shortages mean that too much work is being left on too few shoulders. Compared with other developed countries, many specialists in New Zealand are on after-hours call duties covering emergencies, too often and with too little support.”

“More and more is being expected of senior doctors. The latest is the government’s requirement to further reduce waiting times for elective (non-urgent) treatment. But there is no recruitment and retention strategy to support these increasing demands.”

“Many senior doctors in public hospitals are forced to sacrifice time for professional development and education which is essential for the maintenance and development of skills. This sacrifice is caused by what some describe as increasing ‘clinical creep’.”

“This situation is also financially irresponsible. Excessive workloads prevent many senior doctors from having enough time to be more involved in wider decision-making that would improve quality and cost effectiveness. Millions of dollars could be saved if the experience and expertise was used in this way but most senior doctors don’t have the time.”
“Depending on overworked specialists papering over shortages in order to maintain our public hospitals is simply not sustainable. We need politicians to support them with actions to recruit and retain more specialists, instead of mouthing platitudes,” concluded Mr Powell.

Ian Powell
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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