DOC CONTRACTS MADE FAIRER
Australian Medical Association Queensland president-elect and Hervey Bay GP Doctor Shaun Rudd has said doctors employed in the state’s public sector should consider signing amended contracts offered by the health department.
Citing the need to improve productivity, lower costs and avoid doctor fraud, Health Minister Lawrence Springborg told doctors in March they would be moved to individual employment contracts.
Doctors claimed the contracts were unfair, would degrade working conditions and lead to less than satisfactory remuneration.
In concession, the government agreed to include no disadvantage tests in new contracts and to allow doctors limited access to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission.
Dr Rudd said changes made to the contracts meant that the AMAQ now “agreed in principle” with the employment documents.
“We’re at the stage where we believe the contracts are much more fair than they were before and (doctors) should consider signing them,” he said.
“It’s up to the individual though to make that decision. We can’t tell our members what to do.”
Together Union Wide Bay organiser Donna Webster said while senior medical officers on the Fraser Coast had withdrawn resignation letters, it was “important for them to read the contracts”.
She also said that signing doctors up to individual contracts was a “huge resource drain”.
“We are not recommending doctors to sign this, we are saying it is now up to you to decide whether you work under this contract,” Ms Webster said.
“These changes mean a drain on local health services to have contracts up and running by May 31.”
Ms Webster said the union was also concerned junior trainee specialists have not been afforded the same protection as fully qualified doctors.
Queensland doctors have until the end of May to sign the new contracts.
Source: Harvey Bay Independent