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Health Minister Condemns Doctors' Strike Over Patient Care

10/16/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Health Minister Simeon Brown criticized senior doctors at their Wellington conference for an upcoming strike, saying it crossed an ethical line and harmed patients.
He urged doctors to prioritise patient care over politics, noting the October 23 four-hour strike could cancel 6,300 procedures and delay 13,000 assessments.
The New Zealand Doctors' Union said it sought negotiations twice this month, while Health NZ rejected their offers.

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Story summary

Health Minister Simeon Brown criticized senior doctors at their Wellington conference for an upcoming strike, saying it crossed an ethical line and harmed patients.
He urged doctors to prioritise patient care over politics, noting the October 23 four-hour strike could cancel 6,300 procedures and delay 13,000 assessments.
The New Zealand Doctors' Union said it sought negotiations twice this month, while Health NZ rejected their offers.