The Health Minister has accused the senior doctors' union of crossing an 'ethical line' at the expense of patients.

Members of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists will join next week's mass strike.

Tens of thousands of union members, across health, education, and the public sector, are walking off the job.

Sarah Dalton from the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says many were shocked at the way Simeon Brown chose to characterise this strike action.

"And I guess his refusal to contemplate all of the many things in the health system that get in the way of them being able to see and treat patients, other than a four-hour strike next week."

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