Just over 200 of NSW’s public psychiatrists (about two thirds of the total number) handed in their resignations before Christmas to protest against chronic underfunding in the system and are calling for a pay increase to bring them into line with the salaries on offer in other States.
These resignations were due to take effect yesterday, January 21st. During the day, the NSW Government asked the Industrial Relations Commission to arbitrate on the dispute. Hearings have been set to take place in the week commencing March 17th.
According to Rose Jackson, NSW Minister for Mental Health, some of those psychiatrists have shifted their position with 25 rescinding their resignations and a further 81 putting theirs on hold temporarily.
Nevertheless, this still means that from yesterday the NSW public mental health system could be working with around 100 fewer psychiatrists than it was last week. BEING advocates strongly for alternatives to the clinical model of care, but psychiatrists do have a unique position in the primary healthcare system and this shortfall is expected to impact the functioning of the system.
So, what do you need to know?
NSW Health has provided a statement outlining a series of measures put into place to mitigate the resignations, including advice on where to go if you need support for your mental health.
Click here to read the advice from NSW Health in full.
In addition to the sources of help listed by NSW Health, BEING hosts a list of services on our website which you can refer to.
Share your Story
BEING is advocating for a seat at the table to discuss future reforms as the impacts of resignations become clearer.
We’d like your help to capture both the human impact of the resignations and any suggestions you have on how the system should be reformed. You can do this by sharing your stories through the Share Your Story feature on our website.
Your responses will be held in confidence and will assist advocacy efforts. If we would like to share your experience with decision-makers to illustrate how the system could be improved, we will ask for your permission in advance before sharing.
Please email info@being.org.au if you have any questions.
The BEING Team