Statement from AMA (NSW) president Dr Kathryn Austin

AMA (NSW) acknowledges recent issues at John Hunter Hospital regarding junior medical staffing.

As we have repeatedly stated, the current NSW Health budget is not sufficient to ensure appropriate resourcing across public hospitals, resulting in frustrated and stressed staff trying to do more with less.

We welcome the swift actions of Hunter New England Local Health District in recognising and apologising for the incident and we would encourage all local health districts to demonstrate similar grace to doctors, nurses and other staff working in a financially stretched, under-resourced system.

We recognise the tremendous work our doctors do within the NSW Health system and want to ensure they are supported in every aspect of their role.

We call on the NSW Government to urgently commit to appropriately investing in health services and the health workforce for the benefit of staff and patients.

Media contact: 0419 402 955