43 Psychiatrists in NSW Resign and Hundreds More Plan to Depart
More than 200 psychiatrists employed in the public health system of New South Wales have expressed their intention to resign after the government rejected a 25 percent pay increase.
These psychiatrists have started resigning as part of their ultimatum for a significant salary increase within a year, as demanded by the State Government.
As of Jan. 23, Minister of Mental Health Rose Jackson confirmed that 43 psychiatrists have already resigned, with an expected increase in resignations in the upcoming days.
Many other psychiatrists have also delayed their resignations.
The psychiatrists highlight issues such as understaffing, working conditions, and the imminent collapse of the system as their primary concerns.
Initially, when the pay increase was denied, a total of 205 psychiatrists stated their decision to leave, which accounts for almost half of the 443 psychiatrist positions in New South Wales, with 40 percent of them currently vacant.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has emphasized the drastic impact this decision will have on vulnerable individuals, urging the government to collaborate with the doctors’ union to resolve the issue.
The College also raises concerns about trainee psychiatrists being pressured to provide care beyond their qualifications to individuals with severe mental illness.
In response, Jackson mentioned that the government has addressed the immediate crisis by appointing 23 locums, with an additional eight to be added soon.
Despite this action, each temporary replacement will incur a daily cost of at least $3,000 to the government.
Currently, over 60 mental health beds are closing down, and some hospitals are imposing restrictions on psychiatric assessments.
The Health Minister mentioned that “other health professionals” are stepping up to fill the gap, with contingency plans in place to manage high-risk patients and conduct court mental health assessments.
However, Executive Director of the Salaried Medical Officers Federation Andrew Holland cautioned against relying on non-psychiatrist professionals to substitute for the specialised expertise of psychiatrists.
The College stated, “The issues affecting our members’ workplaces have not been resolved by the government, which is unfair to patients and impacts the well-being of psychiatrists and trainees.”
The dispute is scheduled to be addressed by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission from March 17 to 21.