News

Patient care cut back because of 60% Doctor Shortages at Waikato Hospital

The number of medical registrars was down to 40% of normal at Waikato Hospital this past weekend as doctor shortages continue to hit the region. “Medical registrars are the doctors who care for patients suffering heart attacks, pneumonia, strokes, diabetes and other medical conditions” said Dr Deborah Powell.

Doctor shortages sees patients waiting 24 hours in corridors at Taranaki Base Hospital

The New Zealand Resident Doctors’ Association (NZRDA) is deeply concerned about Resident Doctor staffing at Taranaki Base Hospital with 4 adult medical registrar positions and 4 psychiatry registrar positions currently vacant.

Resident Doctors Can Save Kenepuru Hospital’s Emergency Department

The solution to staffing Kenepuru Hospital’s emergency department overnight sustainably is the employment of resident doctors specifically for the hospital’s emergency department, says the union representing resident doctors the New Zealand Resident Doctors’ Association (NZRDA).

NZRDA Welcomes Labour’s Announcement to Increase the Number of Medical School Placements by 2027

NZRDA welcomes the announcement by Labour today that if re-elected they will increase the number of medical school placements from the current increase of 50 placements in 2024, to 335 by 2027.  This increase will see 874 medical school places by 2027.

NZRDA Supports Senior Doctor’s Industrial Action

Senior medical officers (SMOs) have issued notice of industrial action to take place 5th September 2023. These doctors are responsible for overseeing the training and work performed by Resident Doctors, the majority of whom are members of the NZRDA.

Te Whatu Ora Refuses to Offer New Doctors Early Employment

Te Whatu Ora has confirmed today that they will not allow newly graduated doctors to commence employment in our severely stressed hospitals, until late January.

NZRDA Negotiates Significant Increases to GP Salaries

The New Zealand Resident Doctors’ Association (NZRDA) has concluded negotiations with the Royal College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP) that sees resident doctors in general practice training receiving salary increases of up to 21.2%.

How to Fix Medical Workforce Shortages

Current initiatives and yesterday’s announcements by Health Minister Andrew Little to fix medical workforce shortages are a band-aid solution to systemic problems within the medical workforce pipeline.

Emergency Department Rosters Need More Doctors

The country’s emergency department rosters are not adequately staffed to cover for doctors who fall sick and may collapse if Omicron spreads through New Zealand. The NZRDA, representing resident doctors in District Health Boards, is warning an Omicron outbreak could overrun the country’s E.Ds.

Health Unions Call for Immediate Restrictions on Visitor Numbers at Auckland City Hospital

Two unions representing over 8000 frontline health workers, the New Zealand Resident Doctors’ Association and the APEX Union are calling for ADHB to immediately implement a visitor policy that excludes visitors except on compassionate grounds.

The New Zealand Resident Doctors’ Association and APEX Union who represent over 8000 frontline health workers, are calling for pod rostering to begin immediately for all essential workers providing healthcare in DHBs, private health services and the community.

Changeover: The District Health Board’s Decision Document

Read the District Health Board’s decision document to go ahead with changing the rotation dates for Resident Medical Officers from 2021.

NZRDA's Response to the Proposed Change to Resident Doctors Rotation Dates

A response to the consultation document on the proposed change to resident doctors' rotation dates from 2021.

The NZRDA Part-time Employment Study

Findings from the NZRDA Part-time Employment Study which looked into the lack of access to flexible employment options for RMOs in New Zealand.

Labour Day: A Reminder for the Healthcare Industry

The Labour Day struggle to enforce employee rights has had long lasting effects on employee and union rights in New Zealand. To this day, many workers are reminded of their limits in working over an eight-hour day as it can cause fatigue, stress and reduce productivity.

FluTracking Government Initiative: Help Track the Flu

FluTracking Government Initiative: The Ministry of Health is pleased to bring online FluTracking to Aotearoa New Zealand for the second year, tracking the flu so we can help you.

Handover

Handover is a crucial part of patient care to ensure continuity and to provide the best possible and safe care to patients. However, as times change and service demands increase, it is easy for this process to become rushed or to lose sight of who should be involved.

The case of Dr Bawa-Garba

On 28 January 2018 the English High Court released its decision to de-register Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba, a paediatric trainee, who had been convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence. The decision has shaken the UK medical profession. Although we operate under different legal parameters and clinical settings in New Zealand, this decision should nonetheless serve as a wake-up call to NZ resident doctors.