About the national Memorandum of Understanding Executive

The national Memorandum of Understanding Executive (MOU Exec) is a joint DHBs/NZ Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) committee representing all 21 District Health Boards and Resident Doctors. The MOU Exec consists of 4 senior DHB nominees and 4 RDA nominees. The Chair is the CEO of Northland DHB, Karen Roach, and the Deputy Chair is the General Secretary of the RDA, Dr Deborah Powell. Other DHB representatives are:

Vivian Blake,
Dr Margaret Wilsher, 
Dale Oliff 

RMO representation is derived from a pool of Resident Doctors allowing NZRDA to always have representatives present whilst enabling some flexibility given the service and training demands that those involved are also juggling.  Current participants include:

Dr Curtis Walker.
Dr Marcia Walker.
Dr Lisa Edwards.
Dr Bevan Jenkins.
Dr Powell is assisted by, Anna Paton, who is a senior advocate with NZRDA.

Dr Barbara Disley is contracted to undertake Project Coordination for the MOU Executive work programme.

This bi-partite committee emerged from the 2006 Multi-Employer Collective Agreement between the Resident Doctors Association and the 21 District Health Boards. Its principles and modus operandi were enshrined within MECA in a Memorandum of Understanding, hence its title.

A key purpose of this group is to create a constructive relationship that will help the parties attain their shared objectives and facilitate resolution of different points of view.  We review and where appropriate promote prospective changes to work practices involving Resident Doctors, best practice and have a wide brief concerning issues of medical training and the medical workforce.