This week, the doctors said there was still a 37% vacancy rate for senior doctors at Gisborne Hospital.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith local leadership here at Gisborne Hospital we have been able to improve our recruiting processes, but our hands remain tied by lack of progress with regional and national leadership.\u201d<\/p>\n
The vacancies exist \u201cdespite assurances from Health NZ and the health minister himself that they would deliver on incentives to increase recruitment and retention here at Gisborne Hospital\u201d.<\/p>\n
The doctors said a well-staffed and well-resourced hospital and primary care were essential to provide the community with the health care it deserves.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe senior doctors that are here will continue to provide care to the best of our abilities.\u201d<\/p>\n
Doctors knew their 48-hour strike would leave some procedures postponed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe apologise for the disruptions this action causes.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur problem is that our services and care are already disrupted by low staffing numbers.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery day surgeries are cancelled, and treatments are delayed because we are trying to run a hospital with almost half the staff we need.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe hope this 48-hour strike will get the message to those in charge of health funding that Tair\u0101whiti needs better healthcare.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease stand with us in our fight for sustainable and safe staffing for Tair\u0101whiti.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe hauora \u2013 he taonga: our health is our most precious thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The ASMS union, in referring to this week\u2019s national strike, said members had yet to receive an offer that did not amount to \u201canother pay cut in real terms\u201d, at a time when workforce shortages were at crisis levels in many places.<\/p>\n
\u201cASMS members are not walking away from patients, they simply know it is critical to have a pay offer that is competitive and continues to attract the medical workforce to New Zealand,\u201d said executive director Sarah Dalton.<\/p>\n