Over 4000 medical procedures are on hold today while 5000 senior doctors strike for better working conditions. 

This comes after eight months of failed negotiations with Health New Zealand. 

The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says it's not going to fill workforce gaps without major improvements to pay and conditions. 

Health NZ Chief Clinical Officer Doctor Richard Sullivan told Mike Hosking waitlist times for procedures will now stretch out further. 

He says the more than 4000 procedures which have been delayed will impact on getting people earlier access to care. 

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