New QLD doctors’ contracts are anti-patient #qldpol #amoqld #keepourdoctors
Member for Gaven Dr Alex Douglas MP says that non-surgical intensive care unit patients in public hospitals will become part of a catch 22 situation in the current dispute between Queensland Health and senior medical officers.
“For the state to reach its category one targets, non-surgical ICU patients will be tipped out in favour of surgical patients,” he said.
“But doctors will be in conflict with hospital management if they favour non-surgical patients over a surgical patient requiring post-operative intensive care management.
“There are only so many beds, so many staff and the budget to match.
“People will die and doctors will be unable to claim freedom of indemnity.“
“It is the ultimate catch 22 situation and the Campbell Newman LNP Government wants to put doctors in this position and, by default, risk putting the public’s own lives at risk.
“This dispute is about the State Government of Campbell Newman ‘s interest, not the public interest.
“Directors of hospital departments and their deputy who don’t sign the contracts by March 30 will loose their benefits including severance parts of long service leave and other payments.
“The Health Minister would have everyone believe there is another six weeks before senior medical officers have to sign the still unseen Queensland Health contracts, but this is incorrect.
“They can still work, but will lose benefits if they don’t sign in a little more than a fortnight.
“The reality is those people are not waiting now – they are realising this is a zero sum game with no winners – they have to resign.
“With the AMAQ and Health funds still saying members cannot sign, then with no alternative they must decide for their futures.
“One senior specialist has put it bluntly they are in a no-win situation. If they sign these contracts, the key performance indicators lock them in.
“But for them to do the right thing ethically, they will be in conflict with hospital management favouring a non-surgical patient over a surgical patient requiring post-operative intensive care management.
“The real failing of these contracts is that they’re anti-patient. Don’t be fooled.”
Source: Alex Douglas- Member for Gaven