The Health Minister wants the senior doctors’ union to put patients first and enter binding arbitration. 

Simeon Brown has given Health NZ and the union until 4pm today to respond to his urgent request to let a third party decide the terms of the contract. 

Health NZ's agreed to participate in an effort to resolve 12 months of collective agreement negotiations.  

Brown told Mike Hosking he's doing what he can to find a way forward. 

He's trying to persuade both parties to come to the table and agree to the process, which is in the best interest of patients. 

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