Deaths caused by Doctors strike, more or less?

**oldrider** · 16th June 2006, 15:31

Not a judgment on the Doctors strike it's self but I wonder, (if you compare the good driving record in Auckland while the traffic lights were out) how many people "will" die because of the strike?
My intuition tells me less people will die over the strike period!

But, will we ever know?

John.

**The Stranger:Me** · 16th June 2006, 15:45

Originally Posted by oldrider

Not a judgment on the Doctors strike it's self but I wonder, (if you compare the good driving record in Auckland while the traffic lights were out) how many people "will" die because of the strike?
My intuition tells me less people will die over the strike period!

But, will we ever know?

John.

They're (doctors) about the 7th leading cause of death in the US.

I was once involved in organizing a medical conference at the Aotea Centre for a doctor. They had guest quacks and speakers from many countries including NZ and when this statistic was presented there was not one dissention. Nor was there a dissenting voice when it was suggested by the speaker that NZ stats would be about the same.

I queried the guy later and he assured me that that the figure only included screw ups, not people say trying to commit suicide by overdosing etc.

Of course what it did not say was that these people were already sick in some way and X number of them would no doubt have died anyway.

I would bet that the death rate will take a dive during the strike.

**ajturbo** · 16th June 2006, 16:11

i feel for the young doc's.. they work far too long a shift to be of any use to anyone... hell if i were to work the hrs they did, i would get so fuckin sleepy that the paint would not be straight...

they should NOT work any more than and 8-10hr day for the same pay!!!

**Lou Girardin** · 16th June 2006, 16:26

Be honest. Who wants someone who's been on duty with bugger all sleep for 72 hours, working on them?
I see some of the junior doctors are scabbing too.
Scumbags.

**Squeak the Rat** · 16th June 2006, 16:40

Rules for truckies:

Not to exceed 5 1/2 hours continuous driving.
Not to exceed 11 hours driving in any 24 hours.
Not to exceed 14 hours On-Duty in any 24 hours.

Why? 'cause it's dangerous to operate a heavy vehicle after working long hours. Is it dangerous to operate on people after long hours....

**oldrider** · 16th June 2006, 16:42

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

Be honest. Who wants someone who's been on duty with bugger all sleep for 72 hours, working on them?
I see some of the junior doctors are scabbing too.
Scumbags.

The thread isn't about the reasons for the strike, it is about the the death rate because of the strike.
Cause and effect, will there be more or will there be less.

**Lou Girardin** · 16th June 2006, 16:50

If it keeps people out of our public hospitals, I'll pick less.

**Squeak the Rat** · 16th June 2006, 16:59

I'll pick less also, but those who have a reprieve will simply die next week as the doc's work through their backlog......

STR

**Finn** · 18th June 2006, 12:35

Isn't it funny how the Government doesn't allow the cops to strike (and they have VERY good reason to) but it's cool with Doctors. Clearly a few days without revenue is more important than a few dead people.

I sit on the fence with regards to doctors & nurses. Like most of NZ, there is a dumbing down of the work force so we should make it attractive to work in healthcare. However, these people knew very well that they were going to end up in a poor paying job. Now they complain.

Meanwhile, the Government is trying to disrupt private healthcare. Hurry up and die Clark and take your goonies with you.

**Brett** · 18th June 2006, 18:40

Of course doctors have a high rate of mortality with their clients, if you were to work in an ER or with terminally ill people, you would look like Osama Bin Laughing as well!

My wife is an intern doctor, and sits on the fence on this issue. She is not far enough up the food chain to be striking yet, but reckons she wouldn't if it were her in the position. Personally, i feel that these young women and men are being forced to work some pretty outrageous hours for pretty pathetic pay. I mean, who here would go get a doctorate, rack up a HUGE student loan ( i would know) then go and work massive weeks including nights/days/weekends where it worksout to basically less than 20 bucks an hour?? I sure wouldn't.

She also told me that in the hospitals, most people turn up cause they are too cheap to go see their GP, for basic shit like a head cold, insect bites, in fact some people go there purely because they are lonely!!!

**paturoa** · 18th June 2006, 19:34

I'm guessing no change to the rate.

There is the people that were going to die anyway, no matter what any doctor does - so no change there.

There are the people that would live anyway, even staying at home.

I'm guessing that for the above categories then if there is a short term doctor shortage then these will either wait for a very long time or a very long time before being seen by a doc.

The points are
- are there sufficient senior docs in the emergency depts to keep the rest alive and then to staff crit care?
- After visiting a few emergency clinics over the years there were bugger all docs there anyway

So I'm thinking no difference.

**oldrider** · 18th June 2006, 19:42

Originally Posted by Brett

Of course doctors have a high rate of mortality with their clients, if you were to work in an ER or with terminally ill people, you would look like Osama Bin Laughing as well!

My wife is an intern doctor, and sits on the fence on this issue. She is not far enough up the food chain to be striking yet, but reckons she wouldn't if it were her in the position. Personally, i feel that these young women and men are being forced to work some pretty outrageous hours for pretty pathetic pay. I mean, who here would go get a doctorate, rack up a HUGE student loan ( i would know) then go and work massive weeks including nights/days/weekends where it worksout to basically less than 20 bucks an hour?? I sure wouldn't.

She also told me that in the hospitals, most people turn up cause they are too cheap to go see their GP, for basic shit like a head cold, insect bites, in fact some people go there purely because they are lonely!!!

This thread is not aimed "at" the Doctors, just the "statistics" from the event, like the Auckland traffic lights and the power cut re accidents and casualties.
Cheers John.

**James Deuce** · 18th June 2006, 19:54

Originally Posted by Brett

She also told me that in the hospitals, most people turn up cause they are too cheap to go see their GP, for basic shit like a head cold, insect bites, in fact some people go there purely because they are lonely!!!

Uh-huh.

The local After-Hours clinic is $90 for children and $125 for adults.

You figure out why they go to ER instead of the After Hours.

Oldrider, I think it's pretty frivolous sepculation, but my bet is on less deaths too

**Pathos** · 18th June 2006, 23:39

There will be enough senior doctors to deal with any emergencies won't there ?

**Brett** · 19th June 2006, 21:49

Originally Posted by oldrider

This thread is not aimed "at" the Doctors, just the "statistics" from the event, like the Auckland traffic lights and the power cut re accidents and casualties.
Cheers John.

I hear what you are saying. Fair call. personally i am no big fan of going to the doctors, don't think i have been in about 4 or 5 years.