AMA (NSW) seeking feedback from Sessional VMOs regarding the Government’s remuneration offer

Further to recent communications and the webinar on 25 July 2024, I write to seek your views as to whether AMA (NSW) should accept or decline the Ministry of Health’s remuneration offer for Sessional VMOs.

The Ministry of Health have offered a 9% increase over three years, that is 3% in 2024, 2025 and 2026. If the offer is accepted it will mean that AMA (NSW) cannot pursue other claims in relation to Sessional VMO arrangements for three years.

PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY HERE.

AMA (NSW) has been undertaking preparatory work to arbitrate for changes to the Sessional and Fee-for-Service Determinations, including a work value case. This will look at the remuneration paid to VMOs and whether the existing remuneration arrangements accurately reflect the work being performed and the value of the work being performed by VMOs. The last time a work value case was conducted for VMOs was thirty years ago.

It is AMA (NSW)’s intention to pursue arbitration of the Fee-for-Service Arrangements. Discussions with the Ministry of Health unfortunately did not result on agreement on several matters of importance to VMOs.

Members have informed us in recent years that the issues that need to be addressed include but are not limited to:

• the lack of remuneration for services provided from locations other than the hospital
• payment of loadings for work required to be undertaken after 6pm during the week and on the weekends
• payment for virtual attendance at meetings
• classifications under the Sessional Determination
• loadings for services provided a regional and rural hospitals
• loadings dependent on the level of JMO support available
• payment of the on-call allowance for all VMOs
• indexation of the Professional Support Payment for regional VMOs and a review of the qualifying criteria
• private patients and TMF cover.

There are no guarantees as to the outcome of Arbitration, but it is AMA (NSW)’s view that there is a need for reform so the Determinations give effect to arrangements that reflect how VMOs are now providing services in the public hospital system.

AMA (NSW) has sought changes to legislation to ensure the arbitration will take place within the NSW Industrial Relations System and will file for the appointment of an arbitrator once the changes have been made. We hope this will occur soon.

AMA (NSW) will continue to pursue a negotiated outcome for change where possible.

We seek the feedback of Sessional VMOs working in the public hospital system as to whether the 9% remuneration (3% x 3 years) offer should be accepted or whether AMA (NSW) should pursue an agenda for reform including arbitration for Sessional arrangements.

I again confirm that reform of Fee-for-Service arrangements will be pursued as the offer does not apply to Fee-for-Service VMOs.

PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY HERE.

Please see here the Q&A in the Sessional VMO Offer Webinar on 25 July 2024.

Please see here the current rates of sessional remuneration.

If you have any queries or wish to discuss, please contact the AMA (NSW) Workplace Relations Team at workplace@amansw.com.au.