Yesterday a DHBs’ spokesman said boards would be prepared, but it was unclear how many doctors would take part in any strike action.
A national planner was co-ordinating the contingency response in the 20 DHBs, the spokesman said.
The New Zealand Resident Doctors’ Association is formally balloting members this week about strike action, and the result is expected on Monday.
It comes after 10 months of bargaining, during which the union publicly campaigned for an end to 12-day rosters.
The Otago Daily Times understands DHBs are preparing for the possibility of a 48-hour withdrawal of labour about the middle of next month, but neither side would confirm that.
The DHBs’ spokesman said 12-day rosters did not affect emergency department and intensive care junior doctors.
That meant DHBs did not know whether those members would join any strike action.
In a statement, NZRDA national secretary Deborah Powell said members believed the risk of unsafe rosters had to be addressed.
"The doctors want guaranteed change to the rosters that is contractually protected going forward.
"After 10 months of bargaining, the DHBs still have no contractually binding proposals to offer."
The association was frustrated by the lack of urgency being demonstrated by the DHBs.
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Comments
DHBs that don't know how many doctors will be out have no contingency for strike action. I'm sure the Association will notify them. It is not really enough to hope some doctors will cover, especially if they are Association members.