Psychiatrists employed in the New South Wales public health system have begun following through on their threat to resign unless the State Government agrees to a 25 percent salary increase within a single year.
On Jan. 23, the state minister for mental health, Rose Jackson, confirmed that 43 psychiatrists had resigned and said that number was expected to increase “over coming days.”
She said another 99 had delayed their resignations.
However, the psychiatrists argue their primary concern is the system’s understaffing, work conditions, and impending collapse.
When the government first refused the pay increase—which psychiatrists say is necessary to attract recruits to the specialty—205 said they would leave.
That is almost half of the 443 psychiatrist positions in New South Wales, but 40 percent of those are vacant.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) says the decision will significantly impact vulnerable people, urging the government to work with the doctors’ union to find a solution.
The College also warns that trainee psychiatrists may feel pressured to provide care and treatment to people with severe mental illness—something they are not yet fully qualified to handle.
In response, Jackson said the government had dealt with the immediate crisis by securing 23 locums, with another eight to be brought on board shortly.
“As a consequence of that, we’re not seeing the significant disruption of mental health services at the local level,” she said.
However, each temporary replacement will cost the government at least $3,000 daily.
Despite this, more than 60 mental health beds are closing, and some hospitals are limiting psychiatric assessments.
The Health Minister said “other health professionals” were stepping up to play a role and the government had contingency plans for managing high-risk patients and maintaining court mental health assessments.
“We haven’t seen any impact on court psychiatry at present and there are no forensic psychiatrists who at present are not showing up to work as part of the mass resignation event,” she said.
Nevertheless, Salaried Medical Officers Federation Executive Director Andrew Holland warned against relying on other health professionals to replace psychiatrists, who have specialised expertise.
“It’s simply not appropriate to ask doctors, nurses, or allied health professionals to take on the duties of psychiatrists,” he said.
“The issues impacting our members’ workplaces have not been addressed by government in that time, which is unfair on patients, and impacts psychiatrists’ and trainees’ wellbeing,” the College said in a statement.
The dispute will be heard by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission from March 17 to 21.
