‘Industrial siege no good’ for health care

Press, 30 May 1985, Page 1

‘Industrial siege no good’ for health care

A “siege situation” on the industrial front in New Zealand’s health services was not good for the health system or for the public, said the chief executive of the Canterbury Hospital Board, Mr Ron Parker, yesterday. In presenting his annual report to the board’s general meeting, Mr Parker said he hoped that the industrial action in some parts of the country would have a positive outcome.

Health services in New Zealand had enjoyed a reputation as a caring service, not only for the people receiving care and treat-

ment, but also those who provided the services, he said.

When writing his report six weeks ago, Mr Parker said he hoped that regular, organised campaigns of industrial action would not occur, particularly those on issues which could be solved at the negotiating table.

This situation had now been reached, he said. Conscious efforts to maintain a good industrial relations climate were essential by both employer and employee groups. “As a hospital board, we must never neglect this responsibility and must, in fact, endeavour to improve our performance at all times,” Mr Parker said. The medical superintend-ent-in-chief, Dr Ross Fairgray, said that "constant, niggly reminders about saving money" had undoubtedly influenced staff morale.

“Staff recognise that what is desirable and available for patient care is no longer possible," he said.

The economic stringency, together with industrial unrest caused by the board’s having to adopt Government guidelines on salary increases had led to a "measure of disquiet not previously experienced in Canterbury."

"So far. direct patient care services have not been seriously affected, but recurrence of industrial unrest could, at least in my opinion, lead to serious disruption of patient care with increasing waiting lists in the coming years.” Mr Parker said. Unless anomalies in the funding formula were resolved so that boards such as Canterbury were given appropriate recognition for the work they did, management problems would continue.