The 20 DHBs made the claim in a press release yesterday after a failed mediation attempt with the New Zealand Resident Doctors' Association (NZRDA).
The union has been vocal about the danger of unsafe rostering and has made the issue a central part of its pay negotiation. The union wants to change rosters that see junior doctors (also known as resident doctors) work seven 10-hour night shifts in a row, and 12 day shifts in a row, including two days of up to 16 hours.
Lead chief executive for the DHBs Julie Patterson said it was disappointing to see union national secretary Deborah Powell run a ''campaign'' which was ''scaring the public about the standards of hospital care''.
''Sadly, we are expecting to hear a lot more unsubstantiated statements about resident medical officer fatigue and patient safety as part of the union's continuing campaign.
''These issues are of significant importance to DHBs and to all our clinical staff; it is frankly offensive to suggest otherwise.
''However, we will not be pressured into agreeing to an unreasonable industrial claim,'' Ms Patterson said in a media release.
Ms Patterson said the union had come to the mediation with ''a fixed view and a closed mind in regard to reviewing resident medical officer rosters''.
''It is now clear that Dr Powell has no intention of resiling from her industrial campaign aimed at undermining public confidence in our health service.''
Ms Patterson said the union expected boards to reduce hours of work without a pay reduction, which they could not accept.
The boards had offered a roster review, and a 5% pay rise over three years.
The DHBs also released an open letter written to the country's specialists, which said the DHBs wanted to address the concerns, but had been unable to negotiate with the NZRDA.
''We would value your support as we work to manage this undermining behaviour and keep public confidence in our services,'' the DHBs wrote to the specialists.
Ian Powell, executive director of the senior doctors' union, told the Otago Daily Times the DHBs appeared to be trying to ''escalate'' the dispute.
Mr Powell, who is not related to Dr Powell, was concerned by the tone of the DHBs' press release.
''The tone of media statement from the DHBs ... appears designed to escalate the dispute between DHB bosses and their resident doctors.
''The attempt to demonise the resident doctors' advocate is a reflection of an immaturity in leadership.''
Asked for her response, Dr Powell said she had only just received the information, and would respond today.
