AMA backs ACTU's reasonable hours claim
The AMA has expressed support for the ACTU's Reasonable Hours claim, which was filed today in the Industrial Relations Commission.
The ACTU claim is seeking flexible guidelines on excessive hours of work and unhealthy roster patterns.
AMA President, Dr Kerryn Phelps, said the ACTU claim raises the same concerns as the AMA's long-running Safe Hours campaign for junior doctors.
"An AMA survey earlier this year showed that 80 per cent of junior doctors are working unsafe hours," Dr Phelps said.
"Fatigue levels are a direct threat to the safe delivery of medicine.
"Our Safe Hours campaign is aimed at ensuring public hospitals put patient safety first when managing medical rostering and work practices.
"The culture of long hours has to end. It affects work and it affects private and family life.
"We have seen examples of doctors working up to 64 hours straight without sleep, and that's just not on. We need safe hours and safe rosters.
"The AMA is calling on all accredited agencies in the health, hospital and medical sector to voluntarily adopt the AMA's National Code of Practice - Hours of Work, Shiftwork and Rostering for Hospital Doctors.
"If it's not adopted, then the States should introduce regulations on safe hours and safe rostering.
"In the meantime, the AMA supports any moves to curb excessive work hours."
CONTACT: John Flannery (02) 6270 5477 / (0419) 494 761
Sarah Bucknell (02) 6270 5472 / (0419) 440 076