Junior doctors have ratified the collective agreement negotiated with district health boards last month.
The ratification of the settlement, which features an 8.68 percent pay rise, was announced today by New Zealand Resident Doctors Association (NZRDA) general secretary Deborah Powell.
Early last month district health boards spokesman David Meates announced that the long-running dispute with the doctors had been settled, subject to ratification.
He said the 21 boards were pleased to have agreed terms of settlement with the NZRDA, which represents more than 2000 junior doctors employed by the boards.
Today's announcement was "really good news", Mr Meates said
"It clears the way for us to start talking about long-term solutions to the workforce challenges we face and working towards a system that will provide excellent training and competitive terms and conditions," he said.
The ratification brings to an end a 15-month dispute which saw the doctors walk off the job in May over their claim for an almost 10 percent pay increase for each of the next three years.
The main features of the settlement include:
* An 8.68 percent pay rise effective August 2008 with a further 2 percent in 8 months;
* Five percent back pay payment for the months the parties had been in negotiations;
* Additional improvements in the salary scale for registrars;
* Registrars are also to receive additional conference leave and more recognition for time spent in clinical research;
* Hourly rates have been increased to between $75 and $100 per hour for doctors covering night shifts in addition to their normal duties;
The new agreement expires in December 2009.
Dr Powell said further benefits, such as a commitment by the boards to introduce part time opportunities for resident doctors, were also included in the agreement.
"Currently the DHBs provide few opportunities for resident doctors to work part time, leaving those that wish to reduce their hours effectively having to locum," Dr Powell said.
"With the average hours worked by a resident doctor between 55 and 60 per week and over 50 percent of residents now women, this particularly affects those trying to balance a career with family commitments."
Dr Powell said DHBs had also committed to providing either transport or taxi chits for those doctors who had worked four consecutive night shifts or more.
"This recognises the fatigue these rostering practices impose on doctors. In the future NZRDA wishes to limit the number of consecutive nights resident doctors can be made to work due to concerns over the effects of fatigue on doctors and therefore patient care," she said.
Dr Powell said that while the settlement had addressed some concerns of resident doctors, it was unlikely to resolve the retention crisis New Zealand hospitals were facing.
Mr Meates said the settlement was within the 4.25 percent a year parameters that were on the table before the doctors went on strike.
"Importantly for the sector, this deal is in line with other health settlements over the last 12 months.
"The real positive is that this deal clears the way for the Director-General of Health's RMO Workforce Commission to examine evidence from around the world and consult with the wider clinical community and recommend solutions to the very real challenges we face as a sector."
