Mediation to Resolve Ongoing Dispute Continues

NZRDA and the DHBs have spent two days in mediation this week in an attempt to settle the ongoing dispute around essential contract clauses that safeguard RMOs. A further round of mediation is scheduled for Friday 15 February. “After two days of mediation during the past week, we are pleased that talks will continue next Friday. Whilst still a way off settlement, we look forward to working productively with the DHBs to resolve the ongoing dispute and ensure that our resident doctors get a fair deal,” said David Munro, Senior Advocate. A third strike of RMOs will take place on 12 and 13 February 2019.

Resident Doctors and Senior Medical Officers

Resident Doctors are also known as RMOs or Resident Medical Officers. The term SMO (Senior Medical Officer) is the equivalent term for Senior Doctors or consultants working in NZ's public health system. Resident doctors are registered medical practitioners ranging from new graduates fresh out of medical school through to vocationally registered GPs and SMOs. They can be a resident doctor for up to 13 years, during which time they continue with postgraduate training in specialist fields such as GP, paediatrics, surgery, pathology, and so on. Once they complete this additional training they become GPs or SMOs.