UPDATED 6.45PM: Doctors around the country are apologetic but say they must strike in the coming weeks, or patients will continue to be put at risk.

LISTEN ABOVE: Deborah Powell spoke to Chris about the upcoming strike - and why it is occurring in the first place. She said it will be disruptive, but they want employers to know they need to be taken seriously. 

More than 3000 resident doctors around the country will walk off the job for 48 hours, starting October 18.

The action comes after numerous failed talks with District Health Boards over lengthy work hours and days.

All 20 District Health Boards will be affected by the action, and have been notified.

National Secretary Dr Deborah Powell said they've had initial feedback from members to support strike action against DHBs.

Dr Powell said they want District Health Boards to settle their collective agreement with guarantees for safer hours.

She said doctors are doing it as much for their patients as they are for themselves.

"This is a really serious matter from the resident doctors perspective. They don't go to work to put themselves at risk - let alone their patients."

"They're tired, they're fatigued, they're making mistakes and it's got to stop."

They want contractual agreements to require no more than four night shifts in a row, down from seven, and no more than seven days in a row, instead of the current 12 required.