Greater Western Area Health Service stands by its assertion that “issues of remuneration” are why two surgeons have not signed on again as visiting medical officers at Dubbo Base Hospital, while conceding that a proposal to shift emergency operations from night to day is factoring into the negotiations.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
State Opposition spokeswoman on health Jillian Skinner yesterday put the spotlight on the proposal, insisting health department bureaucrats in Sydney were refusing to approve the change, thus preventing the surgeons from getting back to work.
“The Rees Labor Government should be honest and tell Dubbo the real reason they won’t sign up the remaining surgeons,”Mrs Skinner said.
But Greater Western yesterday reported that the proposal had not been rejected.
“The proposal is being discussed with Greater Western as part of the contract negotiations with the doctors,” its spokesperson said.
The Australian Medical Association in NSW has fallen in behind the doctors, yesterday describing their proposal as “safer and more cost effective”.
Mrs Skinner raised the purported stumbling block to doctors Dean Fisher and Geoffrey O’Connor returning to work at a public health meeting called by Dubbo Health Council last Thursday.
“The doctors’ contracts expired at midnight last Thursday and two of the four local surgeons have refused to sign up to old contracts because they believe they are inefficient and unworkable,” she said yesterday.
“Their proposed alternate plan would allow the surgeons to do emergency operations during daylight hours instead of after midnight.
“It would be a win all around. It has been proven that operations during the day get better results for patients and it would save taxpayer funds because exhausted staff wouldn’t be running up overtime bills and hefty locum doctor fees would be reduced.
“In fact the doctors believe their proposal would save $500,000 a year.”
Meanwhile Greater Western reports continued negotiations with Drs Fisher and O’Connor.
“The area health service is hopeful of a resolution in the near future,” its spokesperson said.
“Arrangements have been made for the patients scheduled on Dr Fisher and Dr O’Connor’s lists for surgery in the next fortnight. The other two surgeons, Dr Rice and Dr Grasby and the locum surgeon will share the lists starting tomorrow. Patients are in the process of being contacted and advised of the new arrangements.”
kim.bartley@ruralpress.com
