#Cairns health staff protest against doctor contracts #qldpol #keepourdoctors
More than 300 health staff and supporters have rallied outside the Cairns Hospital in the state’s far north against the Queensland Government’s plans to force senior doctors onto individual contracts.
The gathering heard up to 90 per cent of the 200 doctors in far north Queensland have indicated they will not sign the contracts.
Dr Peter Boyd says after 20 years in the public health system, he will be among those refusing to sign.
“There is a sword over anyone’s head who stands out and opposes the policy of the day,” he said.
“People can be dismissed without reason.
“These are the same contracts that our senior executives are on that run businesses, where profitability is the only motive and heads roll where profits fall off.”
Nurse Theona Stone told the rally, the uncertainty is impacting on the wider hospital community.
“I also stand here today as a partner of an emergency physician who I’ve seen lose sleepless nights for the past month,” she said.
“It is very, very stressful.
“Our children only asked yesterday, ‘can we still stay in Cairns. If we can’t stay in Cairns can I go and live with my grandparents because I want to stay at the same school?'”
The rally passed motions rejecting the contracts, calling on the State Government to conduct meaningful negotiations.
Protesters want local MPs to state their position in writing.
Rallies are also planned for other regional centres across Queensland.
Source: ABC NEWS