Lynda Scott
National Health Spokesperson
23rd February 2003
Increasing bureaucracy costs Timaru a senior doctor
The story of a senior doctor quitting work at Timaru Hospital over safety concerns is the result of a restructured
health system that isn't working, says National Health Spokesperson Dr Lynda Scott.
Dr John Doran is reported to have resigned from his job because he feels unsafe working at the hospital, and he says
other doctors will follow.
"This doctor is complaining about a top heavy structure that means an increased bureaucracy is chewing up the health
dollars that doctors like himself need to treat sick people.
"Senior doctors have never gone on strike before in this country but they are doing this in Timaru out of desperation at
understaffing and lack of resources.
"Labour promised to reduce bureaucracy in their 2001 restructuring of the health system, but they have only added
another layer.
"As a result we have senior doctors striking and leaving the job because they are working such long hours and have no
quality of life left. They can't see any solutions," said Dr Scott.
Ends