Source : Perth Now news
Doctors across Victoria will down tools for a four-hour planned strike on Thursday afternoon after repeated setbacks in negotiations with the Carroll Labor government on reducing “unsustainable” workloads.
Due to take place between 1.30pm and 5.30pm, the Australian Medical Association and Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation-led strike has been launched in protest of “unsustainable working hours, fatigue and threat to patient safety” in the Victorian medical system.
ASMOF Victoria president Roderick McRae said the state’s doctors felt they had no other option.
“Our doctors do not take the decision to go on strike lightly. But the reality is they are being rostered on for 84-hour weeks and frequently work even longer when emergencies occur,” Dr McRae said.
“They are often completely exhausted and burnt out, with little opportunity to rest between shifts. The threat that this systemic fatigue presents to patient safety is simply unacceptable.”
Negotiations between ASMOF and the Labor government, which has cycled through three health ministers since they began 14 months ago, have resulted in a stalemate.
“Over the last six months, the government has repeatedly promised doctors that an offer was imminent … but despite this, we’ve seen absolutely nothing put forward by the Carroll Labor government that addresses these concerns for Victorian patients,” Dr McRae said.
“The people of Victoria need a solution to this crisis, and they need it fast.”
AMA Victoria president Simon Judkins said the main request by doctors – a 12.5 hour shift limit and three guaranteed days off every fortnight “to support proper rest and recovery” were not unreasonable.
“As other emergency services recognise, these basic measures are critical in managing fatigue and in keeping doctors and patients safe,” he said.
“We need the Carroll Labor government to recognise that and come to the table with a reasonable offer in the interests of all Victorians.”
