Resident Doctors give back to communities whilst on strike

Media Release

20th October 2016

Resident Doctors give back to their communities whilst on strike

The recent 48-hour strike by resident doctors saw NZRDA members take the opportunity to participate in a number of positive activities across the country.

Resident Doctors from Whangarei Hospital used the time to visit Maunu Primary School and provide the children with education around health and safety.

Many resident doctors donated blood at blood drives organised by their local delegates in Auckland and Christchurch.

Resident Doctors in Tairawhiti, the only DHB to have implemented safer hours across its rosters, also participated in the strike action in support of their colleagues around the country. They took the opportunity to give back to their community through the construction of a community garden on the hospital grounds.

And for those with more culinary inclinations, some resident doctors baked cupcakes for their local rest homes.

Local pickets also took place, particularly in Christchurch, where resident doctors attended alongside their colleagues from other health professions.

Numerous organisations have expressed their support, including the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS), the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) and the Public Service Association (PSA).

“We saw some very encouraging things over those two days. The resident doctors went out of their way to improve their own circumstances and those of the community around them,” says Dr Deborah Powell, National Secretary of NZRDA.

The strike saw up to 3000 resident doctors off work for two days between 18th = 20th October. The NZRDA has invited DHBs to informal talks on the 26th and 27th October in the hopes of resolving the dispute and achieving safer hours for fatigued resident doctors.

www.saferhours.co.nz

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