Hospital workers have rallied to protest against potential job cuts at the Rockhampton Base Hospital in central Queensland.
Last week, managers from the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service met with staff to outline cost-cutting plans, including cutting temporary staff, reducing the number of locums and tightening controls on staff travel.
In a statement, acting chief executive Nik Fokas said the health service did not intend to cut frontline permanent employees, and will continue to provide safe, quality and timely patient care.
Together union president Vivienne Doogan said hospital staff were being treated unfairly.
“There are some very serious concerns about how the place is being run and staff are very frightened,” she said.
A spokesperson from the office of the Queensland Health Minister said the Government respected the rights of workers to organise and negotiate collectively.
“The Health Minister has made it clear to the chairs of all hospital and health services, including central Queensland, that consultation with workers needs to be improved,” the spokesperson said.
“Frontline health services will be improved under the Labor Government, not cut as they were under the LNP.
“The Government has sought urgent advice on the impact of decisions made during the term of the LNP government on employment in Central Queensland Health and Hospital Service.”