No contract cure over doctor deadlock with Queensland Health #qldpol #smoqld #keepourdoctors
THE public health deadlock remains despite delegates from Queensland Health meeting senior doctor representatives over contentious work contracts yesterday.
Cairns Hospital doctor and Together union delegate Sandy Donald took part in the two-hour meeting via teleconference.
The Brisbane-based meeting was aimed at “opening a dialogue” with representatives over senior medical officer contracts which have sparked a backlash across the state.
“There was an attempt to find common ground but we are planning to have two more meetings this week, on Thursday and Friday,” Dr Donald said.
“We are cautiously optimistic (and) hope we’ll have something positive to report by the end of the week.”
Queensland Health director general Ian Maynard ruled out contract renegotiations last week but said issues including his role in altering contracts, the dismissal process and connecting key performance indicators with income would be discussed over the three meetings.
“Positions on these matters must be agreed this week to give SMOs sufficient time to fully consider, discuss and agree their individual employment contract with their local hospital and health service,” Mr Maynard said.
“The issues on the table include the role of the director general in contract alterations, dismissal processes, no disadvantage provisions, linking key performance indicators with income, transfers, dispute arbitration and rostering and fatigue.”
Dr Donald said the issues were critical and senior doctors would walk out of the public health system if contracts were not re-negotiated.
“There is an awful lot of unresolved issues and some very complex issues which need to be resolved,” he said.
“The issues are complex and time is short.”
Doctors have until April 30 to sign individual work agreements which will take effect on July 1.
The first 50 of 241 senior and visiting medical officers in Cairns received their new contracts on Friday.
Senior Medical Staff Association representative and Cairns Hospital anaesthetist Sean McManus said doctors unhappy with their contract would resign on March 31 because they had to give three months’ notice.
“I’ve never seen this in my 20 years working in Queensland Health,” Dr McManus said.
He believed regional areas would be the biggest losers because doctors would “vote with their feet”.