Specialists exit Queensland Health as contracts’ saga reaches impasse #qldpol #smoqld #keepourdoctors #lawrencespringborg
Member for Gaven Dr Alex Douglas MP has questioned how many medical specialists need to resign from Queensland’s public health system before Health Minister Lawrence Springborg realises his “fundamentals” argument over senior medical officers’ contracts is wrong?
“His method of seeking resolutions amongst senior medical staff is wrong and the longer the impasse continues, the greater pain to our patients which will ultimately leave our public hospital system in chaos,” Dr Douglas said.
“Already three key specialists in orthopaedics, pathology and obstetrics have resigned from the Gold Coast University Hospital over the contracts and if we lose another orthopaedic surgeon, the unit could be forced to close.
Angry doctors and their supporters will rally at Gold Coast University Hospital this afternoon and call on the Minister to shelve the proposed contracts which erode future career paths, and enter dialogue with a genuine negotiation to restore goodwill and current conditions.
“The contracts are flawed – the Australian Medical Association (AMA), the Medical Defence Association, insurers and the doctors’ legal advisors all say so.
“They have gone further and advised doctors not to sign them.
“These contracts are flawed, and contrary to what the Minister e says that the ’ fundamentals’ will remain unchanged, the Minister needs to urgently go back to once again start negotiations on the whole package.
“If he is not prepared to do so – get someone who will.
“We need to change the Minister’s mindset and make him realise the urgency and the resultant chaos when our doctors refuse to sign contracts and leave the public system.
“It’s the patients who will suffer as a result of the Minister’s intransigence.
“The Minister is using brinkmanship, taking the dispute to the tip of an iceberg in the hope that the doctors will concede and sign the contracts.
“Using such a strategy risks all because no back up options are possible.”
Source: Alex Douglas – Member for Gaven