Thousands of NSW public hospital doctors to strike next week

Thousands of NSW public hospital doctors are to proceed with a three-day strike next week, The Doctors Union – ASMOF NSW confirmed in a statement on 2 April. The industrial action, which will run from Tuesday, 8 April to Thursday, 10 April will see public hospital staffing reduced to public holiday levels as, the union said, “the state’s public health system reaches breaking point”.

“Patients are struggling to see a doctor in NSW public hospitals. That’s because doctors are exhausted, burnt out and leaving the public sector,” ASMOF President Dr Nicholas Spooner said. “We are working dangerously long hours, including 16-hour back-to-back shifts with barely any rest, and often covering multiple roles due to chronic staff shortages.”

The statewide action, led by members of ASMOF NSW, will result in NSW hospitals operating under public holiday or ‘skeleton’ staffing during the three-day strike, which means emergency departments and critical care units would remain staffed to safe levels.

“We want to be very clear with the people of NSW. Patient safety will not be compromised,” Spooner said. “If you or your family need urgent medical care at any hospital across NSW, our doctors and medical staff will be there to provide it.” Spooner added, “Emergency departments and critical care units will remain fully staffed.”

During the strike, doctors will not undertake non-urgent duties, including elective surgery and outpatient clinics, which mirrors typical hospital staffing arrangements put in place during public holidays. In effect: elective surgeries will be postponed with only emergency procedures being performed, outpatient clinics and non-urgent consultations will be cancelled, and non-urgent medical procedures will be rescheduled.

“These conditions are unsafe for doctors and unsafe for patients. We’ve been negotiating in good faith for months, but the government is still refusing to fix this crisis,” Spooner said. “Striking is a last resort for us, and we are doing this so the Premier might finally listen and act.”

Image credit: iStock.com/AaronAmat