Minister hopeful of deal with Qld doctors #qldpol #smoqld #keepourdoctors
QUEENSLAND’S health minister believes he is close to securing a deal with senior medical officers who had warned of mass resignations over individual work contracts.
Lawrence Springborg says he has given some ground on issues of most concern to doctors working in the public health system.
One of the key changes is a new arbitration system that will give doctors some recourse if they believe they have been unfairly dismissed.
There will also be a new system to alleviate concerns doctors have about being transferred to work in hospitals that are away from where they live.
Mr Springborg says he has also agreed to put in writing that key performance indicators will be by agreement with doctors.
“I think we’ve reached general agreement on the things that need to be addressed, and it’s now a matter for doctors to decide if they’re comfortable with the solution,” the minister told ABC radio on Tuesday.
“The ball’s in their court.”
Senior medical officers will hold a mass meeting in Brisbane on Wednesday night to decide whether or not to accept the changed contracts.
The president of the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation, Dr Tony Sara, said the changes and the minister’s intervention were welcome.
But he added: “We’re far from reaching an agreement yet.
“Unless the state government comes back to the table with a fair and reasonable agreement, the state’s doctors could be forced to leave the public health system.”
Mr Springborg said senior medical officers needed to sign their contracts by April 30.
“(That is) to ensure we have time to check and confirm the payroll systems are in place for delivery on 7th July,” he told parliament.
“But those who sign a contract can still choose to revert to their existing collective employment arrangements, albeit without private practice access, by giving just one month’s notice within the first year of the contract.”
Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk criticised Mr Springborg for intervening at the 11th hour after months of tension.
“The crisis was the minister’s own making,” she told parliament.