Keep Our Doctors: options to resolve the Queensland doctors’ dispute #qldpol #smoqld #keepourdoctors
The SMO & VMO Taskforce representing senior doctors wish to resolve the present dispute and reach an agreement with the Government that:
a) ensures the Queensland public health system remains one of the best in the world;
b) ensures that Senior Doctors’ clinical autonomy in caring for patients is appropriately balanced against the responsibility of the Government to efficiently and effectively operate the Queensland public health system; and
c) provides certainty to Senior Doctors in respect of the terms and conditions of their employment.
Three options for consideration
Option 1 – Vary MOCA3 and Awards
Renegotiate the MOCA3 and Awards.
Requires:
a) by negotiations with the SMO & VMO Taskforce, vary the MOCA3 and Awards to meet the Government’s stated health policy objectives;
b) amend the Industrial Relations Act 1999 to MOCA3 and Awards not overridden by contract or directive;
c) amend the Hospital and Health Boards Act to allow for certified agreements to prevail over contracts;
d) retain high-income guarantee contracts (for those SMOs and VMOs who so choose) that are negotiated to deal with issues identified by Senior Doctors;
e) issue Health Employment Directive providing for PPA for all Senior Doctors who freely choose to remain on MOCA3 and Awards;
Option 2 – Contract and Collective Agreement – the Victorian Model
This is the model that is used in Victoria to determine Senior Doctors’ terms and conditions of employment.
This option allows for the Government to implement high-income guarantee contracts which would be underpinned by a MOCA3-style collective agreement;
Requires:
a) by negotiations with the SMO & VMO Taskforce, negotiate a MOCA3-style agreement to meet the Government’s stated health policy objectives;
b) amend the Industrial Relations Act 1999 to MOCA3-style agreement not be overridden by contract or directive;
c) amend the Hospital and Health Boards Act to allow for certified agreements to prevail over contracts;
d) retain high-income guarantee contracts (for those SMOs and VMOs who so choose) that are negotiated to deal with issues identified by Senior Doctors;
Option 3 – Contract negotiations under HHB Act
The creation of a separate jurisdiction for regularly determining by negotiation and, in the absence of agreement, binding and independent arbitration by a member of the QIRC, the terms and conditions of employment for “senior health service employees” on contract and their PPA.
Requires:
a) amend the Hospital and Health Boards Act to create a new jurisdiction to be implemented with effect form 1 July 2014 to allow negotiation of a contract commencing on 1 July 2015;
b) negotiation of the current proposed contract to address issues identified by Senior Doctors;
c) Senior Doctors are able to freely choose to stay on MOCA3 and Awards or sign the current contract, without threat of loss of PPA, until the new contract commences on 1 July 2015;
d) issue Health Employment Directive providing for PPA for all Senior Doctors who freely choose to remain on MOCA3 and Awards until the new contract commences on 1 July 2015;
e) Contracts to be negotiated every three (3) years.
Source: Brisbane Times