Backlash against doctor pay row #qldpol #smoqld #keepourdoctors
A MACKAY orthodontist has lashed out over the public debate and recent media comments surrounding Queensland Health doctors’ contracts.
Peter Monckton, who owns Torque Orthodontics, worked for Queensland Health as a visiting medical officer at Mackay Base Hospital for about 10 years.
He said the State Government’s recent comments regarding the controversial performance-based contracts gave the perception that Queensland Health doctors were “being greedy”.
Dr Monckton’s said he was “incensed” by Premier Campbell Newman’s response during Question Time in Parliament on March 20. Mr Newman said Queensland Health doctors were being paid $400,000 or $500,000 a year.
“The government’s press conferences give the perception that the doctor you see at accident and emergency is paid half a million dollars,” Dr Monckton said.
“This is incorrect.
“They are trying to make the public perceive these dedicated people as being greedy.”
Dr Monckton described doctors working in the public system as an “easy target” for government cutbacks because they worked hard, long hours, cared about people and didn’t go on strike.
“I certainly didn’t get paid it – though there are some people that do,” he said.
“It gave the impression that everyone at the Mackay Base Hospital is on $500,000.
“(These) specialists can make a whole lot more in the private system.”
He described recent Queensland Government advertising, in which Director-General Ian Maynard stated more than $800 million of taxpayers’ money could have been saved in the last nine years if public facilities were used appropriately, as insulting.
“It’s a lot harder to make it (money) than it is to waste it – they have to make some good decisions,” Dr Monckton said.