The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists lambasted the development related to the Employment Relations Amendment Bill. Coming down heavily on the changes recommended for the Employment Relations Act, the ASMS announced the amendments to be unjust and unfair for specialists and patients alike.

Mr. Ian Powell, Executive Director for the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, in a statement said the bill literally legalizes unfair dismissals in the name of a trial period. The 3-month trial period for specialists would be like providing irresponsible employers with the power to dismiss employees without any justification whatsoever.

Mr. Powell further felt that specialists do not require a trial period as they undergo a trial period of 13 years before being labeled as specialists. He further ruled that the proposed changes if implemented would limit senior doctors from raising an alarm about medical malpractices at hospitals.

The changes can lead to negating the image of the medical fraternity in New Zealand, as the new changes would hamper the quality of medical services being provided to Kiwis. The proposed amendments would also risk the chances of a doctor’s career being hampered because of an employer’s upper-handedness.

Mr. Powell concluded by stating that the disappointing bill would hamper the justice of doctors, fair treatment to patients and above all the quality of medical care.