“Increased Emergency Department Funding Welcome But Don’t Forget The Senior Doctor Workforce”

“Health Minister Tony Ryall’s announcement today of increased funding to improve the emergency department at North Shore is very welcome because of the intense pressures and safety threats patients, doctors and nurses currently face. But the senior doctor workforce crisis must also be addressed if these improvements are to be effective,” said Mr Ian Powell, Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, today. The increased funding of $36m includes increased cubicles, inpatient beds, and a new assessment and diagnostic unit.

“Improving facilities and space is critical. Even more critical is having skilled health professionals to work in them. Unfortunately New Zealand has a senior doctor workforce crisis with neighbouring Australia running rings around us by offering far superior terms and conditions.”

“Public hospitals like North Shore can’t compete against Australia to both retain our locally well trained younger specialists and to recruit specialists from overseas. The gap is too large.”

“If North Shore and other public hospitals are going to be able to recruit hospital specialists to work in improved facilities then we are going to have to offer improved terms and conditions of employment to senior doctors which enable us to compete against Australia” concluded Mr Powell.

ends

© Scoop Media