Key Takeaways:
- A public hospital doctor is owed $1.27 million in annual leave, with several other doctors owed hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- The top 10 doctors with the highest annual leave balances are owed a total of $6.5 million.
- The high leave balances are considered a liability for Health NZ, as they may lead to doctors leaving and taking large payouts with them.
- The senior doctor union and experts attribute the high leave balances to the difficulty in taking time off due to understaffed hospital services.
- Health NZ is working to improve its digital systems and encourage staff to take their owed leave.
Introduction to the Issue
The issue of high annual leave balances among public hospital doctors in New Zealand has come to light, with one doctor owed a staggering $1.27 million. According to information provided by Health NZ, the top 10 doctors with the highest annual leave balances are owed a total of $6.5 million. This has raised concerns among critics, who warn that these high leave balances could lead to doctors leaving their jobs and taking large payouts with them. The senior doctor union, ASMS, and health system experts agree that the high leave balances are a result of the difficulty in taking time off due to understaffed hospital services.
The Challenge of Taking Time Off
The senior doctor union’s executive director, Sarah Dalton, notes that it is often hard for doctors in small or stretched services to take time off. This is because hospital services are not well-staffed, making it challenging for doctors to leave their posts without compromising patient care. Professor Robin Gauld, a New Zealand health system expert, agrees, stating that doctors are often too focused on ensuring care is provided to take time off, even when they are entitled to it. As a result, leave balances can build up over time, becoming a significant liability for Health NZ.
The Consequences of High Leave Balances
The high leave balances are not only a financial liability for Health NZ but also a risk to the health and safety of doctors and patients. When doctors are unable to take their leave, they may become burnt out, leading to decreased productivity and increased risk of medical errors. Furthermore, if doctors decide to leave their jobs, they may take large payouts with them, exacerbating the financial burden on Health NZ. The union is encouraging doctors to take their leave over the summer period when services are quieter, but many are frustrated at not being able to take their leave due to staffing constraints.
Health NZ’s Response
Health NZ has responded to the concerns, stating that it encourages staff to take the leave they are owed and has implemented leave management plans for those with high balances. The organization also notes that doctors have more leave than people in many other jobs, with six weeks of annual leave, two weeks of education leave, and access to three months of sabbatical every six years. However, the union argues that this leave is necessary for doctors to stay skilled and up-to-date with the latest medical developments. Health NZ is also working to improve its digital systems, which were inherited from the old district health boards, to get a better understanding of the leave balances and to encourage staff to take their owed leave.
The Need for Improvement
The issue of high leave balances among public hospital doctors highlights the need for improvement in the health system. Health NZ must prioritize staffing and resource allocation to ensure that hospital services are well-staffed and able to provide adequate care. The organization must also work to improve its digital systems and provide more flexible leave arrangements to support doctors in taking their owed leave. By addressing these issues, Health NZ can reduce the risk of doctors leaving their jobs and taking large payouts with them, ultimately improving the health and safety of patients and staff.
