14 Jul 2008

Ban wanted on strikes in health sector

12:40 pm on 14 July 2008

The New Zealand Orthopaedic Association wants strikes banned in the health sector to avoid putting patients' lives at risk.

The orthopaedic surgeons group says strikes should be replaced by a system of compulsory negotiation hearings.

However, president John Matheson says the Ministry of Health and union leaders have rejected this idea.

He hopes Health Minister David Cunliffe will now review the rejection and take note of recommendations of a report by a Health and Disability Commisioner investigating health care cases in Otago.

Commisioner Ron Paterson believes patient safety has been jeopardised due to strikes in the sector.