Updates on medical contracts – 20 March 2014 #qldpol #smoqld #keepourdoctors
Queensland Health Director-General Ian Maynard’s commitment to personally meet doctors statewide continues with a face-to-face meeting with senior doctors at Ipswich Hospital held on Thursday.
After being granted only five minutes to address doctors at last night’s meeting, Mr Maynard believes explaining the contract addendum in full will provide doctors with the solutions they have been seeking.
“I’ll continue to meet doctors around the state to ensure they fully understand how their contracts will operate in practice and the protections the new contract addendum offers,” Mr Maynard said.
“[On Friday morning] I’ll be returning to the Gold Coast University Hospital and I’ve made myself available to visit each and every hospital and health service as required.
“I truly believe that we have worked through all of the issues tabled by doctors and provided solutions which give them certainty into the future.
“Sadly last night, it appeared that industrial issues were placed ahead of patient care and it was disappointing that the department was not afforded fair opportunity to have our say.
“I’ve now personally met with around 400 doctors and explained our position and when I’ve done this, the questions asked have been fair and the answers appreciated and accepted.”
Solutions to issues raised around individual employment contracts for senior doctors include:
• Locking in an contract addendum that confirms how the contract will operate in practice
• Legislative protection by varying the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011
• Ministerial direction to the Director-General to require that only changes which do not disadvantage those on contract are permitted without prior agreement
• An independent review of the implementation of the contracts at the end of 12 months
• A Contracts Advisory Committee will be established to advise the Director-General on all issues relating to the contracts, prior to any changes being made.
“I am committed to working with senior doctors to deliver the best possible health system for the people of Queensland and to keep quality healthcare and patient safety at the forefront of our actions,” Mr Maynard said.
For more information or to peruse the addendum, visit the medical contracts webpage at www.health.qld.gov.au/medical/medical-contracts