At least 200 NSWhave resigned from public hospitals amid an ongoing dispute with the State Government.
Psychiatrists are calling for better pay and working conditions to address staffing shortages and patient safety concerns.
The resignations represent two-thirds of NSW public health psychiatrists and are expected to take effect from 20 January.
GPs are warning the mass walkouts could trigger a “mental health crisis”.
Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are doctors who specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. Unlike psychologists, they can prescribe medications.
The Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation of NSW (ASMOF) represents psychiatrists who work across NSW publicservices.
With around a third of positions unfilled, the doctors union says the sector is “dangerously understaffed,” presenting a risk to patient welfare, and placing “enormous pressure on the existing workforce.”
The union also argues a 30% pay gap between NSW public health psychiatrists and their interstate counterparts has contributed to staff retention issues.
It’s seeking a 25% pay increase for psychiatrists, and improved conditions to address concerns in the mental health system.
The NSW Government has proposed a 10.5% pay increase over three years.
ASMOF NSW has rejected the offer and claims the Government has “refused to budge” since negotiations began in September.
Resignations
The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) is the peak national body for psychiatrists.
This week, it confirmed more than 200 psychiatrists have now submitted their resignations to NSW Health, “citing patient safety concerns”.
It comes after around 140 psychiatrists resigned last year.
The resignations are expected to take effect by 21 January. The RANZCP has urged the NSW Government “to work with the doctors union” to find a solution before then.
NSW Health
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NSW Health has issued an update in anticipation of disruptions to public mental health services.
It said it’s working on plans “to manage the impact” of “the proposed resignation of around 200 public health psychiatrists”.
Despite this, NSW Health warned, “there may be extensive disruption to mental health services and the broader public health system,“ from 20 January.
Impacts
The RANZCP says staffing gaps in psychiatry have created a “workforce crisis” for NSW.
It warned the mass resignations would “significantly impact” some of “the most vulnerable people in our community”.
“Disruption to their care will have wide ranging impacts,” a statement from RANZCP said.
Separately, the peak body for GPs has warned failure to reach an agreement could impact GPs, who are “already managing high demand for mental health consults.”
Response
NSW Premier Chris Minns said a 25% pay rise would mean salary increases of up to $90,000 for psychiatrists. “That’s the equivalent of the entire salary for a first-year nurse. It’s just not justifiable,” he noted.
Health Minister Ryan Park said he understands the value of the “important work” psychiatrists do, and that it was “absolutely critical” that both parties remain at the negotiating table.
The NSW Government may seek to delay the resignations through ongoing proceedings with the Industrial Relations Commission.
Opposition
The NSW Liberal Opposition has accused the Minns Government of “abandoning” the state’s “most vulnerable”.
It said the psychiatrists shortage will leave some “without the care they urgently require.
Shadow Health Minister Kellie Sloane said Labor must address the issue “as a matter of urgency,” for psychiatrists, patients, “and the broader community, who are all at risk if a solution is not brokered”.
