Health staff ‘angry, frustrated’ over contract fiasco #qldpol #smoqld #keepourdoctors
A TOOWOOMBA doctor has claimed new individual contracts forced on local doctors has left hospital staff angry and frustrated.
Despite attempts overnight by Health Minister Lawrence Springborg to end the long standing dispute, public health doctors in Toowoomba and across Queensland are standing firm against new individual contracts.
“I have been a specialist for over 20 years and I have never seen my colleagues so angry,” said Together Union member and Toowoomba Hospital consultant specialist Dr Rob Brodribb.
“We are committed to providing the best possible care to our patients and these new contracts could impact our ability to do that.
“Patients who can not afford private health cover are the ones who will suffer in the long term.”
Dr Brodribb said the upcoming April 30 deadline set by the Newman Government to sign new individual contracts had created plenty of angst among hospital staff.
“There is a high number who refuse to sign the new contracts,” he said.
“The take-it-or-leave it approach by the Newman Government has made negotiation difficult
“The major feeling among staff is this has been a dictated arbitration.”
Mr Springborg will look to end the state-wide dispute tonight when he meets with representatives in Brisbane.
A new addendum will be added, which was tagged on to doctors’ contracts last month to provide some safeguards to their concerns, to the body of the contract.
Source: Sunshine Coast Daily