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Scoop
01-06-2025
- 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
01-06-2025
- 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.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Stitt's veto of cosmetology board bill threatens public health, entrepreneurship
Oklahoma County and its cities, we cannot afford to sleep on Governor Stitt's veto of House Bill 1030, which threatens to eliminate the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology. This decision is more than just a blow to an industry. It is a direct threat to public health, safety, and entrepreneurship. The veto is irresponsible and must be overturned before it does irreversible damage to every Main Street in Oklahoma. As a licensed cosmetologist and trichologist, and more importantly, a young mother who turned education into opportunity, I know firsthand what the Oklahoma State Board of Cosmetology has meant for people like me. Going to school, studying hard, and earning my license didn't just change my life. It gave me a future. It allowed me to open my own business, support my family, and become a mentor for others looking to follow a similar path. But most of all, it taught me that what we do is about more than beauty. It's about people — their health, their dignity, and their trust. Some might argue that hair and nails don't need oversight, but they forget that we work with sharp tools, chemicals, and treatments that can damage skin, hair, and health if used improperly. Licensing ensures we are trained not only in style but in sanitation, sterilization, and safety. Without education and regulation, untrained individuals could unknowingly cause infections, injuries, or worse. This is not fearmongering. It is fact. Our clients trust us with their appearance, yes, but also with their wellbeing. We touch the lives of everyday Oklahomans. Your grandmother who comes in for her weekly set, your son who needs a confidence boost before prom, your neighbor who is battling hair loss after cancer treatments. In the chair, we laugh, we cry, we heal. We may not take the Hippocratic Oath, but we live by its spirit: do no harm. More: Oklahoma boards flouting the rules make our state look like a circus. Are lawmakers taking note? The idea that the beauty industry no longer needs its own regulatory board, led by professionals who understand our tools, our ethics, and our responsibilities, is an insult to the 80,000 licensed barbers, estheticians, manicurists, instructors and school owners across this state. Would we allow non-doctors to oversee the Medical Licensure and Supervision Board? No. Then out of that same respect, why would we allow anyone other than licensed professionals to oversee an industry that directly impacts the health and hygiene of the public? Gov. Stitt's veto of House Bill 1030 sends a dangerous message that proper training and safety standards don't matter. But they do. And every legislator in Oklahoma needs to hear from us, the professionals and the public, that we care. I urge the Oklahoma Legislature to override this veto. It is not just about protecting a profession. It is about protecting the public. To do anything less would be to invite harm. And that is something no licensed professional should ever stand for. Nina Chukwu is a licensed cosmetologist and trichologist and owner of Glory Hair and Restoration Center in Oklahoma City. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Why lawmakers must override Stitt's veto of cosmetology bill | Opinion
Montreal Gazette
21-05-2025
- Health
- Montreal Gazette
Letters: Coroner's report into homeless man's death must be followed by action
There are some Gazette articles that should never be forgotten. One such article tells the story of Raphaël André, the Innu man who froze to death overnight next to a closed homeless shelter and the subsequent coroner's inquest. The recent 75-page report by coroner Stéphanie Gamache, which analyzes the circumstances surrounding the death and offers recommendations to prevent future homeless tragedies, must be implemented. Gamache paraphrased the powerful message by the victim's mother by telling the inquiry that on Jan. 16, 2021 — in a city with more than a million doors — all were closed that night. Let us always have doors that are accessible to those in need. Meanwhile, as Gamache noted, a warming tent placed in Cabot Square in André's honour has been used by over 108,000 people in the 14 months it was open. Shloime Perel, Côte-St-Luc Medical specialists deserve gratitude An expression of profound gratitude is extended to Dr. Vincent Oliva, whose voice on behalf of Quebec's medical specialists — in a full-page ad in the May 20 Gazette — has vowed to continue to care for Quebecers despite the policies of the CAQ government that have created 'untenable conditions' for the venerable profession. It is reassuring to know that our doctors will respect their Hippocratic Oath. Vivianne M. Silver, Côte-St-Luc A few proposals by special delivery With the rise of email, text messages and social media, home mail delivery is not as essential as it was 30 years ago. However, completely eliminating it would create challenges, especially for seniors and people with special needs. Reducing home delivery to two days per week, instead of five, could reduce costs while still allowing mail carriers to make their rounds and potentially notice overflowing mailboxes of seniors, suggesting a welfare check by authorities is needed. For people who still prefer home delivery over a P.O. box or a community mailbox, it could be offered for a monthly fee of, say, $20 per home address, but free for seniors and people with special needs. Ragnar Radtke, Beaconsfield Blame belongs with aggressor Re: ' Trump says Russia-Ukraine ceasefire talks will begin 'immediately'' (NP Montreal, May 20) It is morally reprehensible and factually inaccurate when Donald Trump and his administration appear to assign equal culpability to both sides of the Kremlin-orchestrated war against Ukraine. Threatening to 'walk away' and let them thrash it out fails to take into account that one side is the powerful aggressor and the other the greatly outnumbered victim. Painting Volodymyr Zelenskyy as 'difficult,' as Trump has done in public comments, suggests the U.S. president now expects Ukraine's capitulation to achieve his dream of being a 'peacemaker.' Natalie Turko-Slack, Pierrefonds Submitting a letter to the editor Letters should be sent by email to letters@ We prioritize letters that respond to, or are inspired by, articles published by The Gazette. If you are responding to a specific article, let us know which one. Letters should be sent uniquely to us. The shorter they are — ideally, fewer than 200 words — the greater the chance of publication. Timing, clarity, factual accuracy and tone are all important, as is whether the writer has something new to add to the conversation. We reserve the right to edit and condense all letters. Care is taken to preserve the core of the writer's argument. Our policy is not to publish anonymous letters, those with pseudonyms or 'open letters' addressed to third parties. Letters are published with the author's full name and city or neighbourhood/borough of residence. Include a phone number and address to help verify identity; these will not be published. We will not indicate to you whether your letter will be published. If it has not been published within 10 days or so, it is not likely to be.
Korea Herald
15-05-2025
- Health
- Korea Herald
Sunway University Shaping the Future of Healthcare Education
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunway University proudly announces the launch of the Sir Jeffrey Cheah Sunway Medical School, a bold new initiative that signals a transformative leap in Malaysia's medical education landscape. With a firm focus on teaching and research excellence, ethical leadership, and pioneering innovation, the medical school is set to equip the next generation of healthcare professionals with the knowledge, skills, and compassion needed to address the evolving demands of global healthcare systems. The launch of the Sir Jeffrey Cheah Sunway Medical School follows the establishment of the Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre (JCBC) in Cambridge, reinforcing Tan Sri Sir Jeffrey Cheah's commitment to advancing world-class education and biomedical research. The launch ceremony on 7 May 2025 at Sunway University was officiated by Minister of Higher Education, YB Dato' Seri Diraja Dr. Zambry Abd Kadir, and attended by Tan Sri Sir Jeffrey Cheah, Founder and Chairman of Sunway Group. The event also welcomed the presence of international ambassadors, underscoring the global significance of this initiative. A highlight of the launch was the White Coat Ceremony for the inaugural cohort of medical students, who also took the Hippocratic Oath, a symbolic and meaningful rite of passage marking their official induction into the medical profession. The Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme at Sunway University offers a dynamic, future-ready medical curriculum anchored by immersive clinical training at Sunway Medical Centre, a leading private quaternary hospital. Here, students gain hands-on experience in patient care, translating medical knowledge into real-world practical skills. The programme also fosters inter professional collaboration, preparing students to work effectively within diverse healthcare teams for a holistic understanding of patient care. With a strong emphasis on clinical and translational research, sustainability and planetary health in medicine, digital healthcare technology including precision medicine and application of artificial intelligence in medicine, students are equipped to lead in tech-enabled healthcare environments. Beyond the hospital, the programme encourages community engagement through initiatives like the Desa Mentari Project, nurturing socially responsible medical professionals dedicated to service and impact. Professor Sibrandes Poppema, President of Sunway University, expressed his enthusiasm for this landmark development: "The launch of the Sir Jeffrey Cheah Sunway Medical School represents a pivotal step forward in our mission to shape future-ready healthcare professionals. Our goal is to develop doctors and researchers who not only excel in medical knowledge and clinical skills but who are also equipped to lead with integrity, empathy, and innovation. This school will be a catalyst for transformative research, global collaboration, and sustainable healthcare solutions that benefit communities in Malaysia and beyond." With its future-ready medical curriculum, state-of-the-art clinical training, digital fluency, and global research collaborations, the Sir Jeffrey Cheah Sunway Medical School is set to become a leading institution in medical education across Asia. Its launch marks a new era of medical education innovation—one that supports the development of sustainable, technology-enhanced, and community-driven healthcare solutions for the future.
