THE Far West Local Health District has released a statement seeking to assure people that the only hospital in the region with on-site doctors, the Broken Hill Hospital, would be unaffected by doctor strikes.
Some members of the Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation, or ASMOF, went ahead with planned strike action this week, walking off the job throughout New South Wales for three days due to pay and condition disagreements.
The industrial action has been titled “Can’t see a doctor? Ask the Premier” by the ASMOF leadership, who also said the strike action is seeking urgent action to fix dangerous hospital understaffing levels, unsafe conditions, and long hours for members.
ASMOF President Dr Nicholas Spooner said the strike aimed to send a clear message to NSW Premier Chris Minns.
“Doctors across this state are working 16-hour shifts, day after day, with little rest and no end in sight. They are exhausted, they are leaving, and they are not being replaced,” he said.
“Doctors are not asking for the world. We’re asking for safe working hours, a minimum 10-hour break between shifts, and proper staffing so people don’t have to wait hours to see a doctor in Emergency.
“Throughout the strike, emergency departments and critical care units remained safely staffed, with only non-urgent procedures postponed. Doctors have confirmed that patient safety will not be compromised.”
However in the Far West, the ASMOF’s strike plans did not disrupt the Broken Hill Hospital with FWLHD releasing a statement on Tuesday, April 8 confirming that the region remains unaffected.
“The Far West Local Health District remains focused on providing safe, high-quality patient care during this industrial action,” a FWHD spokesperson said.
“All clinical services at Far West LHD facilities, including Broken Hill Health Service, continue to operate as normal.
“The emergency department continues to triage and provide safe emergency care for people who need it.”
Mr Minns released a statement on Monday, April 7, saying pay rises are off the table.
“We want to pay doctors and all our healthcare workers more,’’ he said. ‘“We recognise that doctors had their wages capped for 12 years under the former Government.
“But NSW taxpayers cannot afford to fund a 30 per cent pay rise in one year.”
