Invercargill doctors picketed outside Southland Hospital in an attempt to put pressure on district health boards as part of a five-day national strike today.
Early this morning doctors protested with signs that said, "Tired doctors make misteaks'' and "All we want is a fair deal''.
One of the protesting doctors said they had seen plenty of community support.
"We just want to raise awareness. . . We're striking to retain our union and our contract. "
"The DHB wants final say on our working conditions, including hours of work, [staff] being moved to other cities and also our training.''
New Zealand Resident Doctors' Association spokesperson for Southland Michael Peebles said around 70 doctors from Southland would be joining the nation-wide strike.
Southern District Health Board chief executive Chris Fleming said it wouldn't be known how many appointments and surgeries that would have to be rescheduled until the strike ended.
"Similarly, we won't know how many NZRDA members are striking until we see who presents for work. Unfortunately, this will be the case for each shift of each day of the five-day strike,'' Mr Fleming said.
The strike is planned to end Saturday, May 4 at 8am.
