Fears of mass exodus of Drs

Sydney: There’s a real worry brewing in New South Wales. More than 150 psychiatrists are ready to walk away from their jobs. They’re upset about pay and staffing issues, and if things don’t change, they might leave on January 21.

The Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation is behind this, and as of now, 158 doctors have already put in their resignations. The government has offered a 10.5% pay increase over three years, but the union wants a hefty 25% raise in just one year.

Right now, public sector psychiatrists are making over $400,000, so that 25% bump would mean an extra $88,000 for many of them. But the government says it would cost around $250 million for just 480 staff members.

On top of that, the union is not happy about a new pilot program starting next year. The government wants to test out some changes to help manage the workload, but the doctors feel it’s just going to lead to more burnout.

Dr. Nicholas Spooner, the union president, says the mental health system is barely hanging on. He believes the proposed changes won’t fix the real issues, like the many unfilled positions and long wait times for patients in crisis.

He’s clear: the doctors don’t want to leave, but they feel they have to stand up for their patients. They’re calling for real solutions, not just temporary fixes.

Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson called the situation “deeply disappointing.” She reassured everyone that the government is working on strategies to keep services running smoothly and that help is still available for those in need.

She also defended the pilot program, saying it’s meant to help reduce unnecessary admin work so psychiatrists can focus more on patient care. But many are still skeptical about whether these changes will actually make a difference.