Latest news with #ASMS
Scoop
19 hours ago
- Health
- Scoop
Gisborne Hospital Senior Doctors Strike Highlights Important Health System Issues
Opinion – Ian Powell Todays dispute is in response to the uncompetitive conditions of employment, particularly salaries (there is a pay gap with Australia of around 65% on base 40-hour salaries). By International Labour Organisation standards, the right of employees through their unions to lawfully strike in Aotearoa New Zealand is limited. In summary, there are only two lawful grounds – in negotiations for a collective employment agreement (whether multi or single employer) and on health and safety grounds. New Zealand's first senior doctors strike The first strike undertaken by senior doctors was during negotiations for a single employer collective agreement between the South Canterbury District Health Board and the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS). The dispute centred on inferior remuneration compared with senior doctors in the other DHBs. Health and safety was not a factor. There were four six hour strikes during the normal working week in February-March 2003. As ASMS Executive Director I was the union advocate for South Canterbury's senior doctors. At that time there were no life preserving services agreements required by legislation. However, consistent with the Hippocratic Oath of 'first do no harm,' only scheduled elective (planned) procedures, including surgery, and treatments were affected. Acute treatment that could not be clinically deferred continued. Further, additional notice to than required by law was given. This meant that no elective procedures were cancelled because they had yet to be scheduled in the first place. The strikes were successful in various respects. Subsequently I discussed this in an academic article published later that year in the Journal of Employment Relations titled 'Downing Scalpels and Stethoscopes' (unfortunately it didn't prove possible to locate a link). The almost first national senior doctors strike In 2007-08 ASMS came close to holding the first national strike by senior doctors. This was over a national collective agreement covering all the district health boards (DHBs). The issues were improving remuneration and other conditions and preventing employer attempts to clawback existing consultation rights and weaken a non-clinical time entitlement. However, the protracted dispute was unexpectedly complicated midstream by the increasing loss of specialists to Australia, beginning with Queensland, following mind-bogglingly large salary increases 'across the ditch.' ASMS's strategy was gradual escalation always leaving the employers with the opportunity to reconsider. Highly publicised and massively attended stopwork meetings (similar but technically different from two-hour strikes focussed on non-acute services) were held in each of the DHBs (two in some) over a concentrated period. They were followed by a resounding national postal ballot, with a high response rate, authorising ASMS's National Executive to organise strike action. This proved to be the tipping point. The publicised and membership supported escalations arguably had more effect than had senior doctors gone straight to strike action without this staged escalation. It led to new Labour Health Minister David Cunliffe intervened by directly collaborating with the parties to facilitate a satisfactory resolution without having to proceed with strikes. Owing to the high profile of his intervention it was both brave and risky for Cunliffe. It could have easily gone 'belly-up.' But it didn't; instead, it worked. In addition to the withdrawal of consultation clawbacks and weakening the non-clinical time entitlement employer claims, the settlement included positive improvements to employment entitlements (including salaries) and inclusion of a strong engagement provision. What is notable about both these two disputes, one leading to strikes and the other using the gradual escalation towards a strike to good effect, is that health and safety issues were not at the forefront of the narrative (although it was starting to emerge towards the end with the start of the increasing loss of specialists to Australia). Gisborne Hospital senior doctors strike On 28 May 50 senior doctors employed by Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) at Gisborne Hospital 'walked of the job' at midnight for a 24-hour strike. Similar to their above-mentioned South Canterbury colleagues over 20 years earlier, cover continued to be provided for acute care, including emergencies. One could be forgiven from the media coverage for believing that this was a strike over health and safety concerns. Highlighted was the fact that while all public hospitals suffer from severe senior doctor shortages, Gisborne Hospital had the unwanted record for having the highest rate. The extent of these shortages and the dismissive government response had been previously reported by Marc Daadler in Newsroom (23 April): Gisborne doctors expose Government's inaccurate staffing claims. Radio New Zealand's Morning Report covered the strike that same day in a piece that included interviews with senior doctors: Gisborne Hospital senior doctors strike. In response to a disingenuous criticism from Minister of Health Simeon Brown that the strike was delaying treatment for patients, physician Dr Alex Raines noted that the strike would cause only minor disruption compared to ongoing delays from chronic understaffing. The striking senior doctors also received full support from the Gisborne community including Mayor Rehette Stoltz, again in Morning Report, on the day of the strike: Gisborne Mayor supports striking senior doctors. Senior doctors themselves went the extra mile to connect with the public with the organisation of donations to a local food bank, including a free sausage sizzle, as reported by the Gisborne Herald (30 May): Striking senior doctors support Gisborne foodbank. Recognising the level of community support for the doctors, Dr Raines observed that 'There's a warmth and solidarity in the community that's very special.' In turn, the head of the food bank said they '…supported the doctors in their kaupapa of supporting the unwell and vulnerable of the community.' Important health system issues The strike action by Gisborne Hospital's senior doctors raises important issues for our health system. First, and foremost, this strike was the first of a series of local hospital-based strikes in pursuit of a new national collective agreement. They are not on the grounds of health and safety. These local strikes follow last month's national strike. However, in contrast to the South Canterbury strikes of 2003 and the staged escalations of the national dispute in 2007-08, health and safety is directly linked to this dispute. Today's dispute is in response to the uncompetitive conditions of employment, particularly salaries (there is a pay gap with Australia of around 65% on base 40-hour salaries). This sits behind the severe widespread senior doctor shortages which, in turn, sits behind high levels of fatigue and burnout. It means that Health New Zealand is required by the Government to continue to underpay its senior doctors who are left having to make up the deficit by paying for the health system with their health. Patients also pay for the deficit by being put at greater risk of harm, even death. Another health system issue is that senior doctor strikes receive strong community support (the same can be seen for nurses). While the Government does not value the health system's senior doctors (and nurses), the public does. In South Canterbury on 2003 Grey Power were actively and publicly supporting the striking senior doctors. Strong public is occurring right now for striking senior doctors in Gisborne as articulated by the city's mayor and foodbank. Finally, providing they don't completely flop, strikes are empowering for those undertaking the action. This was certainly the case in South Canterbury. In fact, the strikes contributed to improving the relationship between senior doctors and senior management (without any change in personnel). There is every reason to believe that the strike actions being undertaken and planned by Health New Zealand's senior doctors won't be similarly empowered. In this context it is timely to recall the observation of British working class historian EP Thompson that from struggles comes increased consciousness.
Scoop
a day ago
- Health
- Scoop
Gisborne Hospital Senior Doctors Strike Highlights Important Health System Issues
By International Labour Organisation standards, the right of employees through their unions to lawfully strike in Aotearoa New Zealand is limited. In summary, there are only two lawful grounds – in negotiations for a collective employment agreement (whether multi or single employer) and on health and safety grounds. New Zealand's first senior doctors strike The first strike undertaken by senior doctors was during negotiations for a single employer collective agreement between the South Canterbury District Health Board and the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS). The dispute centred on inferior remuneration compared with senior doctors in the other DHBs. Health and safety was not a factor. There were four six hour strikes during the normal working week in February-March 2003. As ASMS Executive Director I was the union advocate for South Canterbury's senior doctors. At that time there were no life preserving services agreements required by legislation. However, consistent with the Hippocratic Oath of 'first do no harm,' only scheduled elective (planned) procedures, including surgery, and treatments were affected. Acute treatment that could not be clinically deferred continued. Further, additional notice to than required by law was given. This meant that no elective procedures were cancelled because they had yet to be scheduled in the first place. The strikes were successful in various respects. Subsequently I discussed this in an academic article published later that year in the Journal of Employment Relations titled 'Downing Scalpels and Stethoscopes' (unfortunately it didn't prove possible to locate a link). The almost first national senior doctors strike In 2007-08 ASMS came close to holding the first national strike by senior doctors. This was over a national collective agreement covering all the district health boards (DHBs). The issues were improving remuneration and other conditions and preventing employer attempts to clawback existing consultation rights and weaken a non-clinical time entitlement. However, the protracted dispute was unexpectedly complicated midstream by the increasing loss of specialists to Australia, beginning with Queensland, following mind-bogglingly large salary increases 'across the ditch.' ASMS's strategy was gradual escalation always leaving the employers with the opportunity to reconsider. Highly publicised and massively attended stopwork meetings (similar but technically different from two-hour strikes focussed on non-acute services) were held in each of the DHBs (two in some) over a concentrated period. They were followed by a resounding national postal ballot, with a high response rate, authorising ASMS's National Executive to organise strike action. This proved to be the tipping point. The publicised and membership supported escalations arguably had more effect than had senior doctors gone straight to strike action without this staged escalation. It led to new Labour Health Minister David Cunliffe intervened by directly collaborating with the parties to facilitate a satisfactory resolution without having to proceed with strikes. Owing to the high profile of his intervention it was both brave and risky for Cunliffe. It could have easily gone 'belly-up.' But it didn't; instead, it worked. In addition to the withdrawal of consultation clawbacks and weakening the non-clinical time entitlement employer claims, the settlement included positive improvements to employment entitlements (including salaries) and inclusion of a strong engagement provision. What is notable about both these two disputes, one leading to strikes and the other using the gradual escalation towards a strike to good effect, is that health and safety issues were not at the forefront of the narrative (although it was starting to emerge towards the end with the start of the increasing loss of specialists to Australia). Gisborne Hospital senior doctors strike On 28 May 50 senior doctors employed by Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) at Gisborne Hospital 'walked of the job' at midnight for a 24-hour strike. Similar to their above-mentioned South Canterbury colleagues over 20 years earlier, cover continued to be provided for acute care, including emergencies. One could be forgiven from the media coverage for believing that this was a strike over health and safety concerns. Highlighted was the fact that while all public hospitals suffer from severe senior doctor shortages, Gisborne Hospital had the unwanted record for having the highest rate. The extent of these shortages and the dismissive government response had been previously reported by Marc Daadler in Newsroom (23 April): Gisborne doctors expose Government's inaccurate staffing claims. Radio New Zealand's Morning Report covered the strike that same day in a piece that included interviews with senior doctors: Gisborne Hospital senior doctors strike. In response to a disingenuous criticism from Minister of Health Simeon Brown that the strike was delaying treatment for patients, physician Dr Alex Raines noted that the strike would cause only minor disruption compared to ongoing delays from chronic understaffing. The striking senior doctors also received full support from the Gisborne community including Mayor Rehette Stoltz, again in Morning Report, on the day of the strike: Gisborne Mayor supports striking senior doctors. Senior doctors themselves went the extra mile to connect with the public with the organisation of donations to a local food bank, including a free sausage sizzle, as reported by the Gisborne Herald (30 May): Striking senior doctors support Gisborne foodbank. Recognising the level of community support for the doctors, Dr Raines observed that 'There's a warmth and solidarity in the community that's very special.' In turn, the head of the food bank said they '…supported the doctors in their kaupapa of supporting the unwell and vulnerable of the community.' Important health system issues The strike action by Gisborne Hospital's senior doctors raises important issues for our health system. First, and foremost, this strike was the first of a series of local hospital-based strikes in pursuit of a new national collective agreement. They are not on the grounds of health and safety. These local strikes follow last month's national strike. However, in contrast to the South Canterbury strikes of 2003 and the staged escalations of the national dispute in 2007-08, health and safety is directly linked to this dispute. Today's dispute is in response to the uncompetitive conditions of employment, particularly salaries (there is a pay gap with Australia of around 65% on base 40-hour salaries). This sits behind the severe widespread senior doctor shortages which, in turn, sits behind high levels of fatigue and burnout. It means that Health New Zealand is required by the Government to continue to underpay its senior doctors who are left having to make up the deficit by paying for the health system with their health. Patients also pay for the deficit by being put at greater risk of harm, even death. Another health system issue is that senior doctor strikes receive strong community support (the same can be seen for nurses). While the Government does not value the health system's senior doctors (and nurses), the public does. In South Canterbury on 2003 Grey Power were actively and publicly supporting the striking senior doctors. Strong public is occurring right now for striking senior doctors in Gisborne as articulated by the city's mayor and foodbank. Finally, providing they don't completely flop, strikes are empowering for those undertaking the action. This was certainly the case in South Canterbury. In fact, the strikes contributed to improving the relationship between senior doctors and senior management (without any change in personnel). There is every reason to believe that the strike actions being undertaken and planned by Health New Zealand's senior doctors won't be similarly empowered. In this context it is timely to recall the observation of British working class historian EP Thompson that from struggles comes increased consciousness. Ian Powell Otaihanga Second Opinion is a regular health systems blog in New Zealand. Ian Powell is the editor of the health systems blog 'Otaihanga Second Opinion.' He is also a columnist for New Zealand Doctor, occasional columnist for the Sunday Star Times, and contributor to the Victoria University hosted Democracy Project. For over 30 years , until December 2019, he was the Executive Director of Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, the union representing senior doctors and dentists in New Zealand.
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Bruker Launches Revolutionary timsOmni TM Mass Spectrometer
BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the 73 rd Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics (ASMS), Bruker Corporation (Nasdaq: BRKR) announced the launch of the timsOmni™ system, a transformative new timsTOF-based mass spectrometer designed for scientific, drug discovery, and clinical researchers, as well as for advanced QC on biologics, offering deep structural insights into the functional or pathological proteoforms or oligonucleotides. Multimodal eXd trapping with precise electron energy control, ion accumulation, and reaction time regulation is a cornerstone innovation of the timsOmni™ platform. This also enables CIU, further expanding the value of proteoform CCS information, followed by multiple electron-based (ECD, EID) and collision-based (CID) fragmentation techniques. The timsOmni uniquely enables protein researchers and biologics developers to tailor information-rich dissociation pathways for deeper insights - with high speed and high sensitivity. The 'Swiss-army knife' type flexibility of the timsOmni top-down capability enables the identification of low-abundant, aberrant proteoforms, the structurally altered versions of proteins arising from genetic mutations, alternative splicing, or post-translational modifications that deviate from normal physiological forms, disrupting protein function, misfolding, or aggregation, and often play critical roles in the onset and progression of human diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disorders, and autoimmune conditions. Anders Giessing, PhD, Science Manager at Novonesis in Denmark, said, 'We use intact protein mass analysis to ensure performance, stability, and consistency of our diverse protein product portfolio. Introduction of the timsOmni, with its Swiss Army knife versatility, redefines intact mass and top-down analysis with the precision, speed, and confidence needed to provide definitive analytical support in the development and production of industrial enzymes.' The Omnitrap's signature high-sensitivity, high-speed, multimodal eXd capability is particularly powerful for mapping PTMs, such as histone proteoforms (H3:1K14ac) that play a crucial role in regulating gene expression by altering chromatin structure and controlling access to the DNA. Other PTMs like glycosylation critically influence protein folding, stability, transport, and cell signaling interactions, and detailed top-down or middle-down sequencing of complementarity-determining regions (CDRs) in humoral and therapeutic antibodies are important in cancer, autoimmunity and biologics development. Prof. Albert Heck, Professor of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Utrecht University and Scientific Director of the Netherlands Proteomics Center, commented, 'Proteomics will finally go 'protein-centric' by using the timsOmni. The multimodal eXd capability allows for comprehensive ion sequence ladders that are ideal for de novo sequencing and human plasma antibody repertoire profiling. Analyzing and monitoring circulating antibody levels is critical for characterizing the progression of a disease, identifying patients with delayed symptom onset, and predicting potential long-term immunity.' Frank H. Laukien, Ph.D., the CEO of Bruker Corporation, added, 'The timsOmni is a new lamppost for functional protein science, shining a light on functional and pathological proteoforms and truly enabling a new protein science paradigm for fundamental cell and molecular biology, signal transduction, cancer, neurodegeneration, and other disease research. The timsOmni will also be extremely valuable for biopharma drug discovery and development, as well as for biologics QC analysis, from therapeutic antibodies to antibody-drug conjugates.' The timsOmni is supported by OmniScape™, Bruker's next-generation top-down proteomics software that features state-of-the-art algorithms for de-isotoping complex spectra, automated charge state assignment, de novo protein sequencing support, and sequence confirmation. These key features provide unrivaled benefits for the accurate identification of proteoforms, post-translational modifications, and non-canonical proteins. OmniScape transforms complex eXd fragmentation spectra into actionable biological insights—empowering researchers to navigate the new world of functional proteoformics. Prof. Ole N. Jensen, Group Leader at the Protein Research Group of the University of Southern Denmark, observed, 'The timsOmni technology and OmniScape software already impacted our strategies for intact protein and proteoform analysis. Multimodal MS/MS fragmentation and MS3 afford very high amino acid sequence coverage and accurate localization of post-translational modifications in histones.' The timsOmni comes with the new NEOS off-line nanoESI for the extremely low infusion flow rates required for the study of protein complexes, allowing for extended analysis of scarce samples. The NEOS source works with coated and non-coated emitters. Additionally, the timsOmni retains the high sensitivity of the timsTOF Ultra 2 for nLC dia-PASEF high-throughput bottom-up 4D-proteomics. The timsOmni ushers in a new era of functional proteomics, setting the stage for landmark discoveries in ' Proteoformics ', and advancing a transformative new paradigm in protein research as it illuminates protein function through the deep sequencing of proteoforms, humoral and multi-specific antibodies, and other complex biomolecules. About Bruker Corporation – Leader of the Post-Genomic Era (Nasdaq: BRKR) Bruker is enabling scientists and engineers to make breakthrough post-genomic discoveries and develop new applications that improve the quality of human life. Bruker's high performance scientific instruments and high value analytical and diagnostic solutions enable scientists to explore life and materials at molecular, cellular, and microscopic levels. In close cooperation with our customers, Bruker is enabling innovation, improved productivity, and customer success in post-genomic life science molecular and cell biology research, in applied and biopharma applications, in microscopy and nanoanalysis, as well as in industrial and cleantech research, and next-gen semiconductor metrology in support of AI. Bruker offers differentiated, high-value life science and diagnostics systems and solutions in preclinical imaging, clinical phenomics research, proteomics and multiomics, spatial and single-cell biology, functional structural and condensate biology, as well as in clinical microbiology and molecular diagnostics. For more information, please visit
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Bruker Launches Novel timsMetabo ™ Mass Spectrometer for Breakthrough 4D-Metabolomics and 4D-Lipidomics Sensitivity, Specificity and Annotation Confidence - at Speed, Depth, and Scale
BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--At the 73 rd Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics (ASMS), Bruker Corporation (Nasdaq: BRKR) launched timsMetabo, a peak-performance 4D-Metabolomics™ mass spectrometer delivering unprecedented sensitivity, separation power and annotation confidence for small molecules, further enhanced by the novel TIMS 'MoRE' scan-mode. The timsMetabo system enables the generation of a 'digital metabolome archive' for every sample, providing TIMS-enabled qual-quant performance with greatly increased confidence for automated annotation, leveraging 4D separations and reproducible molecular collision cross sections (CCS) at scale for 4D-Metabolomics and 4D-Lipidomics™. Breakthrough timsMetabo Performance with MoRE The benchtop timsMetabo system combines unique and powerful trappped ion mobility separation (TIMS) technology and time-focussing for exceptional sensitivity. Novel Mobility Range Enhancement (MoRE) acquisition leverages the enhanced ion capacity of the dual-stage TIMS-MX ion funnel, expanding its mass-to-charge and mobility ranges. Coupled with a new high-precision quadrupole and the innovative Athena Ion Processor (AIP), the timsMetabo is the next-generation 4D-Metabolomics research and validation workhorse for unprecedented confidence in small molecule analysis in complex mixtures – with sensitivity at speed and scale. The timsMetabo excels at resolving isomers, isobars, and interferences in routine operation owing to its unique additional real-time gas phase CCS ion separation capability, delivering highly-selective MS1-based quantification – at speed and scale. For assays requiring precision at the limit of quantitation, the AIP-equipped timsMetabo provides cleaner, less-chimeric MS/MS acquisition at rates up to 300 Hz for targeted quantitative analysis using parallel reaction monitoring. The AIP leverages mobility information encoded by TIMS in each acquisition cycle for optimal transfer of MS and MS/MS-derived ions for TOF mass analysis. These novel features synergistically produce a rich digital metabolome archive of metabolite identity and quantity from each sample, enabling confident analysis, and enabling AI in metabolomics with machine learning from large-scale, high-quality data sets. The timsMetabo supports both HESI and CSI ion sources for coupling with analytical flow, microflow and nanoflow high-performance liquid chromatography. Dr. Frédéric Vaz, Associate Professor and Head of the Core Facility Metabolomics (CFM) at University of Amsterdam Medical Center, said: 'The timsMetabo uniquely combines sensitivity and selectivity, facilitating measurement of both, known biomarkers and the exploration of new metabolic signatures in research on inborn errors of metabolism. This performance versatility in a single instrument accelerates our research in expanding our knowledge of human metabolism from a clinical/translational perspective towards our ultimate goal to use such technologies to unravel pathologic mechanism of disease and promote new therapeutic strategies for both inherited and acquired disorders.' Prof. Pieter Dorrestein, Professor at the University of San Diego, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Director, Collaborative Mass Spectrometry Innovation Center and Co-Director, Institute for Metabolomics Medicine, commented: ' Bile acids are a diverse and biologically important class of molecules involved in nutrient transport, immune regulation, and are altered in response to medications, diet, and disease. Thousands of distinct bile acid structures – including newly discovered microbially modified forms – are now being revealed. Ion mobility, enhanced by reproducible CCS values at scale, alongside chromatography and MS/MS, is unlocking this hidden complexity, advancing our understanding of bile acid biology, clinical research, and therapeutic discovery. The technology within the timsMetabo will help us better understand this biologically diverse class of molecules routinely, at speed and scale, and this is an exciting combination.' QSee™ quality control suite by Bruker Bruker also launches the QSee quality control (QC) suite of software and reference materials for automated evaluation of instrument performance and long-term monitoring via cloud-based TwinScape™ software. In partnership with Polymer Factory Sweden AB, the leading manufacturer of stable polymer-based mass spectrometry calibrants, the SpheriCal® platform has been extended to include the new QSee 8-mix for assessment of chromatographic and mass spectrometry performance. Results are archived for comparison across time using the TwinScape cloud-based solution already available for proteomics. Dr. Christoph Trautwein, Director of the Core Facility Metabolomics at University of Tübingen, commented: 'By integrating QSee Performance Testing into our lab routine, we're conveniently benchmarking our LC-TIMS-MS system performance before each experiment. The slim and intuitive workflow makes this a straightforward check, and the results provide assurance and 'peace of mind' that we're consistently producing high quality quantitative data. Confidence in our analytical results has never been higher, thanks to this comprehensive solution. It's truly a QC game-changer for our metabolomics lab.' Additionally, TASQ®'s RealTimeQC capabilities for within-batch data quality monitoring have been enhanced with improved data visualization including LC system pressure. Professor Thomas Moritz of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Basic Metabolic Research at the University of Copenhagen, added: 'Bruker's commitment to making data quality information immediately accessible is evident with TASQ RealTimeQC. Their innovative solution to quality monitoring provides assurance when it matters most and helps us make informed decision during the analysis, before it's too late to act. With RealTimeQC, Bruker is uniquely and directly supporting lab-based metabolomics and lipidomics research." Dr. Matthew Lewis, VP Metabolomics and Lipidomics at Bruker, concluded: 'The novel timsMetabo represents a step-change in 4D-Metabolomics and 4D-Lipidomics, and a sustained commitment to innovation in these application spaces. With an unrelenting focus, we are elevating our customer's hands-on experience by listening to their needs and delivering unique features in data analysis, confidence in automated metabolite annotation, and informed quality monitoring.' About Bruker Corporation (Nasdaq: BRKR) Bruker is enabling scientists to make breakthrough discoveries and develop new applications that improve the quality of human life. Bruker's high performance scientific instruments and high value analytical and diagnostic solutions enable scientists to explore life and materials at molecular, cellular, and microscopic levels. In close cooperation with our customers, Bruker is enabling innovation, improved productivity, and customer success in life science molecular and cell biology research, in applied and pharma applications, in microscopy and nanoanalysis, as well as in industrial applications. Bruker offers differentiated, high-value life science and diagnostics systems and solutions in preclinical imaging, clinical phenomics research, proteomics and multiomics, spatial and single-cell biology, functional structural and condensate biology, as well as in clinical microbiology and molecular diagnostics. Please visit
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Senior Gisborne Hospital doctors on 24-hour strike, say hospital 'on the brink of collapse'
Fifty senior doctors from Gisborne Hospital walked off the job at midnight for a 24-hour strike. Photo: Liam Clayton / The Gisborne Herald Fifty senior doctors from Gisborne Hospital walked off the job at midnight for a 24-hour strike in protest of their working conditions. The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) told RNZ 45 percent of senior medical officer roles are currently vacant at the hospital, and it has written to the government twice to express concern about the hospital being "on the brink of collapse". Senior doctor Alex Raines said they did not make the decision to strike lightly, as it will impact patients. "There will be some delays in outpatient clinics and things, I was supposed to see a number of patients on Wednesday that I won't be able to see this week. "Honestly those delays are small compared to the delays we have every week just due to short staffing," he said. Raines worries about the impact on all hospital staff, and said senior doctors are severely understaffed. "We are all really struggling and quite exhausted trying to keep things afloat. In my department of general medicine we are reliant on locums to keep the department from closing. "It's really challenging and limits what we can do for planned care - we're basically just keeping our acute services running," he said. The doctors also went on strike on 1 May, to highlight the staffing crisis, but Raines said they are doing it again because there has been no response from Health NZ or the government. "So we're still waiting for some kind of plan or strategy on how to staff our hospital long term. "Looking ahead we have multiple staffing gaps and we have no idea how to fill them and how we are going to keep our services open," said Raines. Health NZ's chief clinical officer Dr Richard Sullivan told RNZ it has been working hard with senior doctors in Tairāwhiti, as it has had challenges in recruiting senior staff into that region for many years. Dr Sullivan said locum doctors are supporting them, and permanent staff are on the way. "We have 11 permanent staff that have signed up to come over the coming months. But it does take time to recruit a senior doctor - particularly if they are coming from overseas by the time they go through the various steps," he said. Health NZ's chief clinical officer Dr Richard Sullivan. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel He said it was unfortunate the doctors are holding a second strike this month. "This will have an impact. We will have to reduce the number of operations we undertake and we will have to reduce the number of clinics - that's unfortuante for patients in that community," he said. "I just want to recognise the stress on the permanent staff at Gisborne Hospital - it's been tough for them as they've had unfilled shifts for many years. It is a challenge - I completey accept that," said Dr Sullivan. Gisborne Hospital's former chief medical officer Eric McClean told RNZ these challenges have been ongoing for years, and there are some complex reasons behind it. "The shortage of senior doctors has really put us in a bind. Considering the complexities of the patient demographic we get ... it's really a struggle to manage and demand keeps going up each year. "Patients are living longer and we're seeing them more. With the decrease of primary care and lack of preventative care we get huge demands coming into the hospital," he said. Dr McClean said that means the hospital becomes a default for a lot of patients who cannot see a GP. "So with that we're unable to maintain proper staffing levels for senior medical officers ... and it's all the other support services, things like administrative support. "It is extremely difficult to hire to new administrative positions - you'll have entire departments without a PA - meaning all that work, documentation and even copies of things have to be done by the clinicians themselves," he said. Which he worries is adding to their burden of work. "It takes us away from our core responsibility which is seeing patients and making sure they are getting better," he said. The message from Tairāwhiti's senior doctors to government is clear. "Invest in our hospital, invest in our community. We know our community deserves better," said Dr Raines. The senior doctors will be on strike until 11:59pm Wednesday, and are raising money for the Tairāwhiti Super Grans food bank while they are off the job. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
