Doctors commit to April 14 resignation deadline

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Doctors commit to April 14 resignation deadline #qldpol #smoqld #keepourdoctors

EXECUTIVES admit temporary doctors from interstate could be brought in to fill a workforce void if doctors quit in June.

Mass resignations, which include a notice period of two months, are now expected to occur on April 14.

But the dispute over work agreements is not worrying Cairns Hospital board chairman Bob Norman, who said that more than half the doctors in the local service were not affected by the new contracts.

“Approximately 60 per cent of the doctors aren’t classified as senior medical officers or visiting medical officers,” he said.

“As a consequence of that, we expect all of those doctors will remain working at the ­hospital.”

Mr Norman refused to disclose details of a contingency plan yesterday, despite threats of mass resignations in the coming months.

“Quite obviously if there (is) a major number of resignations there will have to be doctors sourced from other sites, whether that is within Queensland or outside remains to be seen,” he said.

“We don’t disclose the details of the contingency plan until we need to implement it.’’

More than 190 doctors are this week being offered an opportunity to talk with a panel of health service staff.

This it to clarify any ­questions they have regarding contracts.

While Mr Norman believed the feud was being hijacked by unions, member of Keep Our Doctors Taskforce and Cairns doctor Sean McManus said doctors were calling the shots.

“Doctors are asking for the support of the unions, it is not the unions telling us what to do,’’ Dr McManus said.

Dr McManus said hiring locum doctors would cost the health service more.

“It costs a fortune and we are much better value as a workforce,” he said.

“I’ve already spoken to the locum companies and in the current climate there is absolutely no way they could replace 100 senior workers (in Cairns) in two months.”

One doctor said locums could cost up to $2000 a day.

Australia Medical Association president doctor Steve Hambleton is hopeful negotiations with Queensland Health will continue.

“We have come part of the way to a solution (and) the door is open for further contract negotiations to build on this progress,” he said.

Legal action by Queensland Health against unions is expected to be heard in a Federal Court this morning.

Queensland Health is attempting to stop unions allegedly spreading misinformation about contracts.

A public rally held in front of Cairns Hospital yesterday attracted more than 150 doctors, nurses and supporters, and another rally is expected to be held on April 9.

 

Source: Cairns Post