<\/p>\n
\nHealth Minister Simeon Brown.
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Nick Monro\n<\/p>\n
Health Minister Simeon Brown has come out firing at the senior doctors’ annual conference, accusing them of “crossing an ethical line” with industrial action<\/a> that was hurting patients.<\/p>\n The meeting was at Te Papa in Wellington on Thursday, which comes ahead of further strike action<\/a> next week.<\/p>\n In his speech to the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, he called on doctors to call off their strike and put patients before politics.<\/p>\n There were audible cries of disbelief when he said the action – while their legal right – had “crossed an ethical line”.<\/p>\n Brown said strikes had seen thousands of procedures cancelled or delayed, and there would be more delays next week.<\/p>\n Health NZ told RNZ if it proceeds, the upcoming strike would see more than 900 procedures cancelled and more than 1380 first specialist assessments wiped from the schedule.<\/p>\n The room erupted in laughter when he said he had been advised by Health NZ that the average salary for a senior doctor was $325,000, and the employer’s offer represented a $160 million pay rise.<\/p>\n “No one disputes that doctors need to be recognised for the job you do, but New Zealanders also deserve a health system that works for them,” Brown said.<\/p>\n He said patients were paying the price for the strike action, and accused the union of walking away from negotiations.<\/p>\n “Patients should never be collateral damage in disputes between management and unions.”<\/p>\n Senior doctors would be joining the strike set for later this month<\/a>.<\/p>\n It’s been coined a ‘mega strike’ and is shaping up to be the largest in decades, with an estimated 100,000 workers<\/a> involved, including nurses, dentists, healthcare workers and teachers.<\/p>\n They want safe staffing levels, better pay and conditions, as well as more respect and recognition.<\/p>\n Senior doctors announced they would join the strike earllier this month. Members of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists voted 83 percent in favour of a four-hour strike on Thursday 23 October from 11am.<\/p>\n The union said its officials had twice this month asked for bargaining but that offer had been rejected by Health NZ.<\/p>\n