Top male doctors earn up to $73,000 more than female colleagues
Exclusive new data has also uncovered alarming disparities in the number of women in specialised medical roles.
There are nearly 1200 more senior male doctors employed by the country's public hospitals compared to female, with women making up just a fraction of many highly paid medical positions. A gender breakdown of New Zealand senior doctors shows 3459 are male and 2276 are female. While more than half of the country's medical graduates are women, they only account for 6.5 per cent of orthopaedic surgeons. Experts say the findings are evidence of alarming gender bias in medicine and highlight how women are being undervalued by our health system, with detrimental impacts on patient care. National's health spokesman Shane Reti has slated DHBs for "unacceptable" and "inappropriate" gender-based behaviour. "This is a discussion that needs to be had across the whole system….DHBs need to explain their current gender imbalance and how they will address it," Reti said.
Doctors and health experts spoken to by the Weekend Herald described a "boys' club culture" pervading the New Zealand health system. They say the stark gender gap in medicine is just the "tip of the iceberg". Some female doctors had experienced ingrained sexist attitudes, such as being labelled "hormonal" or "aggressive" when voicing strong opinions. Others shared stories of surgeons asking junior doctors for sex in order to advance their careers, medical graduates routinely facing sexual harassment on the job and female doctors needing to undergo fertility treatment after delaying children to focus on medicine. Most women interviewed did not want to be identified out of fear of losing their jobs. Angela Lim, a medical doctor and chief executive of mental health social enterprise Clearhead, said being a woman in medicine meant smiling through comments at board meetings, such as when a patronising older man commented: "You speak really well, not just a pretty face." "I have to bite my tongue to not mention that I went to Harvard to complete my research sabbatical and have sat on more boards than he has," Lim said. Data obtained under the Official Information Act shows significant regional disparities, with Whanganui DHB recording the country's worst gender pay gap for senior doctors ($73,135), followed by Auckland DHB ($64,806). The national average was $26,000. Across all industries, the gap between Kiwi men's and women's hourly pay sits at about 9.5 per cent, according to Stats NZ figures. In specialised medicine, it's 12.5 per cent. That means while overall women get paid 91c to every $1 a man earns, in specialised medicine, it's 88c to $1. Only two of the country's 20 DHBs showed senior female doctors being paid more than their male colleagues. They were Tairāwhiti DHB, where women were paid $31,696 more, and Canterbury DHB, where women received an additional $316. Exclusive data showed that while surgery is the highest-paid medical profession, it has by far the lowest proportion of women. Despite the disparities, all but one of the country's 20 DHBs remain without a plan to tackle the problem. However, a senior doctors' union has launched an investigation into the scale of the gender pay gap at public hospitals, the Weekend Herald can reveal. Charlotte Chambers, principal analyst at Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS), said a pilot study, involving three DHBs, was auditing medical specialists' remuneration and analysing the salary scale each doctor started on, the qualifications they had when they started in that role, along with any additional remuneration and where they now sit on the salary scale. The union aims to roll the programme out nationally by the end of the year. "We are trying to get objective quantifiable indicators of qualifications etc...and on that basis, we will be looking to find out if there are gender differences, how did they manifest and what could be the reasons for those differences," Chambers, who is leading the investigation, said.
But she stressed the gender pay gap was just a small part of a much bigger problem. "All DHBs have given us acknowledgement that gender equality is an issue of concern and they have all signalled their intent to fix it."
Health Minister Andrew Little acknowledged the problem was wider than the pay gap and said work was under way to ensure growth of health leaders that were truly representative of the community they served. "It's important to ensure that the health sector accommodates people from a wide range of backgrounds and enables them to succeed in their careers, no matter what gender they identify with and what their personal aspirations are." Little said there was "no tolerance for sexual harassment within the health sector" and if any employee was being sexually harassed, he'd encourage them to report it immediately. "My expectation is that management and DHBs strive to create a supportive workplace culture for all personnel." There are currently 3459 male senior doctors in New Zealand, compared to only 2276 female doctors.
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Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we are having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
Tips on Choosing the Right Mattress Size for Quality Sleep Every Night
When it comes to getting a good night's sleep, the right mattress size plays a crucial role.
You might have heard myths about beds and frames and which size suits you.
Today, we're here to demystify these myths and provide a size-by-size comparison to help you find the perfect fit for your needs.
Finding the Perfect Fit
Selecting the right mattress size is akin to finding the perfect fit in a world of options.
Much like trying on clothes or shoes, your mattress size should cater to your individual needs and preferences.
Let's explore some key factors to consider when finding the perfect fit for your mattress:
1. Personal Preferences.
Consider your sleeping habits and personal space preferences.
Do you like to sprawl out or curl up?
Are you a solo sleeper, or do you share the bed with a partner, kids, or pets?
Understanding your personal preferences is essential in determining the ideal mattress size.
2. Bedroom Size.
Take the dimensions of your bedroom into account when choosing a mattress size.
A spacious bedroom can accommodate larger mattress sizes, whereas smaller bedrooms may require more compact options to ensure ample space for movement and furniture placement.
3. Sleeping Partners.
If you share the bed with a partner, consider their sleeping habits and space requirements.
A larger mattress size, such as a queen or king, provides ample space for both individuals to move comfortably without disturbing each other's sleep.
What Size Should You Get?
Let's break it down size by size:
Single Mattress (91cm x 188cm). Ideal for kids' rooms, guest rooms, or small bedrooms. A single mattress is also a good option for individuals who prefer sleeping alone and value space conservation.
Double Mattress (137cm x 188cm). Also known as a full-size mattress, this option offers more room to stretch out than a single mattress. It's suitable for couples who like to snuggle or for individuals who appreciate extra space.
Queen Mattress (153cm x 203cm). The queen mattress is one of the most popular choices for couples. It provides ample space for two people to sleep comfortably without feeling cramped. It's also a great option for individuals who enjoy sprawling out.
King Mattress (167cm x 203cm). The king mattress offers the most space out of all the standard sizes. It's perfect for couples who want plenty of room to move around or for families who like to co-sleep with young children or pets.
Choosing the Perfect Mattress Size for Your Sleep Needs
Mattress sizes can vary around the world, which can sometimes lead to confusion. In New Zealand, we follow standard sizes such as single, double, queen, and king.
However, it's essential to consider your personal preferences and the dimensions of your bedroom and furniture when choosing a mattress size.
Selecting the right mattress size is crucial for a good night's sleep.
By understanding the differences between single, double, queen, and king mattresses, you can make an informed decision that meets your needs and preferences.
At Beds4U, we're committed to helping you find the perfect mattress size.
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.3% Yes
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15.2% No
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2.5% Other - I'll share below