Media Release
21 October 2016
Safer Hours Campaign Launches Public Petition
The New Zealand Resident Doctors’ Association is providing the public with a direct way to show their support for
resident doctors in their campaign for safer working hours in the form of an online petition.
“Throughout the Safer Hours campaign, members of the public have expressed support for our aims and asked what they can
do to help resident doctors achieve safer hours” says Dr Deborah Powell, National Secretary of the NZRDA.
“We thought a petition would be a simple yet powerful way for people to show their support. The Safer Hours Campaign is
as much about the public as it is about resident doctors – their say is important too.”
Thousands of resident doctors went on strike this week for 48 hours to show how strongly they regard working safely,
both for themselves and their patients.
“We would like to thank the New Zealand public for their support and invite them to sign this petition” says Dr Deborah
Powell.
The petition is accessible through the NZRDA website www.saferhours.co.nz/petition/ and will go live at midday. Further information about the campaign can be found at 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.