The NSW psychiatrists’ union has begun five days of official discussions with the State Government, following mass resignations.
The psychiatrists are seeking better pay and conditions.
The Government said “robust contingency plans” have been put in place to ensure anyone seeking mental health support during these discussions will “receive the care they depend on.”
The Industrial Relations Commission will listen to both sides before handing down a decision.
Psychiatrists
Psychiatrists are specialist doctors who diagnose and treat mental health conditions. Unlike psychologists, they can prescribe medications.
The public service workforce is represented by the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation of NSW (ASMOF).
ASMOF said NSW’s public mental health system has reached a crisis point that has been brewing for “over a decade,” fuelled by difficulties recruiting and retaining psychiatrists.
140 psychiatrists resigned from the public sector in 2024, followed by at least another 50 this year.
A total of 200 psychiatrists tendered their resignations in January, but some later delayed their exit, or were re-hired as contractors.
Hospitals have since experienced greater emergency department delays, hospital bed closures, and worsened conditions for both staff and patients.
The union said wait times for mental health patients have reached up to 90 hours.
Negotiations
ASMOF has been asking for an immediate 25% pay increase, which it says will bring NSW psychiatrists’ wages in line with other jurisdictions.
It’s also called for greater effort to address the workforce’s decreasing numbers.
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The NSW Government has offered a 10.5% pay increase, which includes 1% superannuation, over three years.
It’s also offered a 10% allowance for excessive hours.
Union
ASMOF said the delayed pay disputes have “plunged the healthcare system into crisis”.
President Dr Nick Spooner said delays in negotiations are “putting lives at risk.”
“The people of NSW deserve a functioning mental health system, but right now, we are watching it
fall apart in real time. This dispute is about the understaffing of mental health services in NSW [and] whether patients in crisis can access the care they need.”
Response
In a statement to TDA, the NSW Government said it is committed to the Industrial Relations Commission’s “independent process to achieve a fair outcome.”
NSW Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson said while negotiations continue, the Government will ensure mental health support “remains available to anyone who needs it.”
“As we navigate this process, we want to be clear… providing continuity of care for our most vulnerable is not up for negotiation,” Jackson said.
RANZCP
The Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), the peak national body for psychiatrists, said a solution is important to ensuring public “confidence” in the state’s mental health sector.
The organisation encourages both sides “to find a solution which addresses the critical system issues and ensures the community can access acute care as and when it is required.”
