Junior doctors call for resolution to Queensland hospital doctor contract dispute
Junior doctors from around Australia have called for a quick resolution to the Queensland public hospital doctor contract dispute, amid fears that mass senior doctor resignations would cripple the Queensland health system and jeopardise medical training opportunities for the next generation of doctors.
Attending a Trainee Forum convened by the AMA Council of Doctors in Training (AMACDT) in Melbourne over the weekend, the junior doctor representatives passed resolutions supporting their senior colleagues in Queensland and calling for a fair and lasting resolution to the contract dispute.
AMACDT Chair, Dr James Churchill, said today that public hospitals are the cornerstone of medical education and training in Australia, and a strong and motivated Senior Medical Officer (SMO) workforce is critical to the delivery of high quality medical education and training.
“Junior doctors around the country are extremely concerned at the potential departure of SMOs from the Queensland public hospital system,” Dr Churchill said.
“They are highly skilled and experienced doctors, and crucial to the training of the future medical workforce.
“The senior doctors are a great asset for Queensland and should not have to endure the pressure and stress of the drawn-out contract negotiations.
“It is clear that the contracts as they stand are not fair and do not reflect the skills and dedication of the doctors.
“Our Trainee Forum has pledged its unanimous support to the Queensland doctors, and we call on the Queensland Government to deliver a fair and quick resolution that is agreed by all parties,” Dr Churchill said.
The Trainee Forum was attended by members of the AMACDT, and trainee representatives from the Australasian College of Sports Physicians, the Australia and New Zealand Association of Neurologists, the Australian and New Zealand Society of Geriatric Medicine, the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, the College of Intensive Care Medicine, General Practice Registrars Australia, the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Collectively these groups represent more than 18,000 junior medical officers in both prevocational and vocational training.
18 March 2014
CONTACT: John Flannery 02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761
Kirsty Waterford 02 6270 5464 / 0427 209 753
