Doctors livid over wage delays
Visiting Medical Officers (VMOs) working within the Tasmanian Health Service have had negotiations delayed once again for their indexed wage increases.
Due to a lack efficiencies at the Tasmanian Health Service, talks have been held up for 18 months. The matter was before the Tasmanian Industrial Commission this morning, and when questioned on the issue, the Government was unable to respond in any meaningful way.
“Our highly trained specialists already take pay cuts to work in the Tasmanian Health Service. But we do it for the community we live in. The least Government can do is pass on CPI increases in a timely manner,” said A/Prof David Smart, spokesman for VMO’s A/Prof. Smart said that it is untenable for the Government to delay this long.
Tasmania stands to lose a wealth of specialist medical expertise if VMOs are not retained. This is a risk to the delivery of specialist health care within the Tasmanian Health Service that needs to be urgently addressed.
The Tasmanian Industrial Commission is set to convene a conference on the matter in early February; meeting dates are currently being set.
A/Prof. David Smart will be available at AMA House, 147 Davey Street, Hobart at 2pm TODAY for a media conference.