AMA (NSW) DITC Update

Here are some of the meeting highlights:  

2022 Hospital Health Check 
The HHC survey launched in May 2022 for 6 weeks and attracted over 2,000 respondents. From this, there were about 1,766 full data responses. We'd like to thank everyone for all their efforts in communicating the survey in their workplaces. Survey results will be published soon. 

Government Wages & Workforce Announcements 
In addition to the $3,000 one-off payment for NSW Health employees, NSW Government has also introduced some significant changes to parental leave in the NSW Public Sector Wages Policy 2022. It was noted that the payment and recruitment of staff is a good starting point, but as our HHC and frontline data shows, we must continue to advocate for more. 

Social Media 
The Committee was reminded about important professional and employment obligations to remember when using social media – please refer to NSW Health social media policy. New rules/terms and conditions are being developed for the NSW DIT Facebook Group and will be shared soon. 

Class Action Update 
The Committee was joined by Hayden Stephens from Hayden Stephens & Associates, and Rebecca Gilsenan from Maurice Blackburn Lawyers for an update on the class action against the NSW Ministry of Health to recover unpaid wages of doctors-in-training. The main objective of the class action is to compensate the class for money owed for overtime hours. It's believed that this will prompt and instil system change. The parties will participate in formal mediation in October, and the contravention claims commenced by ASMOF will be mediated at the same time. 

Next Meeting 
The next AMA (NSW) DITC meeting will be held on Thursday 22 September 2022 at 7pm.