Patients may seek care from elsewhere if the crisis is not solved quickly, says RANZCP. Photo: stock
More than 200 senior psychiatrists are to quit NSW public service, reportedly by January 21 over staffing and pay levels, prompting calls for urgent talks.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (or RANZCP) is imploring the NSW Government to work with the doctor’s union to find a solution.
“The loss of over 200 senior psychiatrists from within the health system will significantly impact people with acute and critical mental health care needs,” a statement from RANZCP reads.
“These are some of the most vulnerable people in our community and disruption to their care will have wide ranging impacts for them, their families, and carers.”
The Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation (ASMOF) union claimed that NSW Health Minister Ryan Park is aware of dangerously low levels of staffing in the public psychiatry workforce.
“Around one in three psychiatrist positions remain unfilled — this presents enormous risk for patient welfare and puts enormous pressure on the existing workforce,” says Ian Lisser, the acting Executive Director of ASMOF NSW.
“Our psychiatrists are committed to public health and the welfare of their patients, and they do not want to resign but they have been left with little choice,” he says.
“They have been working in a crumbling system for months, they have been telling Ryan Park the situation is untenable, and now they have been backed into the corner.”
RANZCP expressed concerned that trainee psychiatrists may be pressured to treat patients with severe mental illness that they are not yet fully qualified to handle.
“These doctors need the support of skilled supervisors to provide appropriate supervision and care as they train,” the statement said.
“Without in-house leadership and oversight, we are extremely concerned for trainee wellbeing and patient care.”
RANZCP warns that patients may seek urgent care from other health providers and emergency departments, which are already stressed and at capacity.
“We are concerned that some people will find themselves in the judicial system as a consequence of lack of access to health care,” it says.
“The RANZCP asks that the NSW Government rapidly resolves this situation …”
