Future specialists speak out in support of Senior Doctors

Specialty Trainees of New Zealand (STONZ), a union representing Resident Medical Officers (RMOs), supports today’s strike action taken by Senior Doctors (SMOs).

STONZ executive member, and Obstetrics and Gynaecology trainee Jordan Tewhaiti-Smith says that like the SMOs who are currently striking, “we are deeply concerned about the safety of our patients and our communities, and the ability for all New Zealanders to access the healthcare we need and deserve”

“As future specialists, we are disappointed in the response from the government so far, and STONZ supports ASMS, and our senior colleagues today.”

“If we want a healthcare system that we can all access and be proud of, we need to ensure that we are valuing our workforce and being clear to everyone that this is important.

“As doctors, we know any decision to strike would not have been taken lightly. We have concerns about the future of specialist care in Aotearoa, New Zealand and an important starting point is to support, value and retain the doctors already working here which we will also be highlighting when we begin negotiations early next year.

“Being a doctor is a job where you can do incredible things. That’s why doctors and other health workers put up with so much. We want to help, look after and care for our communities – but there’s a point at which many newer doctors will start asking themselves if six years of med school, huge student loans, followed by as many or more years of fatigue, working upwards of 60-70-hour plus weeks and stress pursuing a specialty that they might never get the chance to reach is actually worth it.”

“We, along with our senior colleagues, are advocating for a healthcare system that supports, values and retains our highly trained and skilled clinicians, which can provide better health outcomes for everyone in Aotearoa, New Zealand.”

STONZ is a union for RMOs that is run by RMOs and advocates for the long-term benefit of its members, their patients, and Aotearoa’s health system.