Media Statement by Health Minister, Lawrence Springborg #qldpol #smoqld #keepourdoctors
Minister for Health
The Honourable Lawrence Springborg
Statement by Health Minister, Lawrence Springborg
Minister for Health
The Honourable Lawrence Springborg
Thursday, March 06, 2014Statement by Health Minister, Lawrence Springborg
Health Minister Lawrence Springborg has welcomed a positive exchange with doctors’ representatives leading to a new dialog on the implementation of contracts for Senior Medical Officers.
Mr Springborg and Assistant Minister Dr Chris Davis met AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, incoming AMAQ President, Dr Shaun Rudd and Professor John Fraser at Parliament House tonight, with Director General Ian Maynard and the Queensland Health HR Chief, Lyn Rowland.
“The meeting agreed that while negotiations on the contract framework are complete, a dialog on the implementation of six key issues will begin on Monday,” the Minister said. “These are the basic concerns that are spelt out within the contract framework, but require a full understanding on all sides prior to the implementation of the SMOs contracts on July 7.
“This dialog is about building a relationship with our Senior Medical Officers. We have agreed that as we work to implement the contracts, emergent issues, including any with perverse implications, will be addressed through our new dialog.
“Importantly, the discussions will be led from the Government side by the Director General and our IR team. We will work with relevant parties to examine each of these key issues; to provide robust protocols and to deliver the necessary protections and reassurance that our senior doctors are seeking.
Mr Springborg said the Government would not revisit the legislative changes already passed by Parliament.
“I thank Dr Hambleton, Professor Fraser and Dr Rudd for responding positively to the Government’s invitation to these talks tonight. This was a constructive discussion that set the tone for the coming dialog.”
Ends (6 March 2014)
Source: Qld Government