Pay rise is welcome, but new arrangements for doctors also needed: AMA (NSW)

AMA (NSW) has welcomed the NSW Government’s lift to the public sector wages cap, but says doctors are still working under outdated awards.

“The boost to the wages cap will help healthcare workers keep up with rising inflation and costs of living. While this increase is appropriate, we also call on the NSW Government to update doctors’ contract conditions,” said AMA (NSW) President, Dr Michael Bonning.

“Visiting medical officers, staff specialists, and doctors-in-training have been working under awards that have not been updated for years – for instance, the award for doctors-in-training has not been updated since the 1980s. Even Top Gun has been given a new treatment since then. Doctors need awards that reflect current working conditions.”

AMA (NSW) expects to see the $3000 thank you payment paid to all doctors as frontline healthcare workers.

“The delivery of healthcare was made even more challenging during the pandemic – long hours in PPE, heightened risk of contracting COVID, self-imposed isolation to protect family and loved ones – these are just some of the sacrifices doctors made during the crisis,” Dr Bonning said.

“All doctors working across the health system played a significant role in protecting patients and providing healthcare throughout COVID-19 and it is good to see that is being acknowledged by the NSW Government.

“The recognition within the public system makes it even more critical that we see meaningful action toward healthcare system reform to also support those working in general practice and private practice. Our general practices and private specialist practices have also played a vital part in keeping our health system going and they also need to know there is a plan to support them,” Dr Bonning said.

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