A PAY dispute at Bowral Hospital's emergency ward could see more doctors leave the area.
Goulburn MP Pru Goward is concerned that if more doctors leave, the hospital's maternity and emergency wards could be forced to shut, forcing people to Campbelltown, Goulburn or Liverpool Hospitals for treatment.
Ms Goward said a new rostering system had resulted in lower pay rates for doctors and this would eventually impact the services being offered.
The News understands that seven doctors currently on staff at the emergency ward are no longer being paid penalty rates following the departure of emergency director, Dr Peter Noonan, in January.
It is believed Dr Noonan was paying the doctors above award rates, but a hospital source has claimed that Bowral Hospital changed the pay rates associated with public holidays after Dr Noonan had left.
The source alleges that staff were issued with a NSW Department of Health policy directive in February outlining the renumeration rates of short-term causal staff at the hospital.
It is claimed the doctors' current working agreements of working systematic shifts was then terminated and the doctors rehired under a new NSW Department of Health policy directive, issued on January 12, at lower pay rates.
A meeting between medical staff and the hospital was held earlier this month, but no Australian Medical Association or legal representatives were allowed to attend, the source claimed.
The hospital denied doctors were being ill-treated.
"Meetings are held regularly between medical staff and administration to discuss operational and staff issues," a spokesperson for Sydney South West Area Health Service said.
"If staff wish to discuss their individual circumstances they are encouraged to arrange a meeting with hospital management and are welcome to bring their AMA representatives along."
The health service failed to answer News enquires on whether doctors' pay rates had been changed.
"None of the casual doctors working in the ED has had their employment terminated. Payment rates for casual doctors are determined by NSW Health," the spokesperson said.
"Casual doctors in the emergency department are paid based on an hourly rate, no penalty rates apply."
The Health Service was also unable to give a number of how many obstetricians it currently had on staff.
"Maternity services continue to be provided by an obstetric and gynaecological doctor and specialist locums until recruitment to vacant positions is complete," a response to the direct query stated.
The spokesperson said staffing issues at the hospital was not affecting its ability to provide adequate medical services.
"Bowral Hospital provides appropriate medical coverage to the emergency department 24 hours a day," she said.
But Ms Goward repeated her warning that if the maternity ward closed the emergency ward would follow close behind.
"The maternity ward underpins the emergency ward," she said. "They won't be able to justify an emergency department if maternity closes."
As Shadow Minister for Community Services, Ms Goward said she received at least one complaint about Bowral Hospital per week. She said basic infrastructure at the hospital was lacking.
"The appalling size of the operating theatres and patients being diverted to Campbelltown is worrying," she said.
The major problems with the hospital, according to Ms Goward, were:
- The physical state of the hospital;
- Access to specialised services; and,
- The shortage of beds.
Ms Goward said she understood Bowral Hospital was on the NSW Government's rebuilding list for the next 8-10 years, but something needed to be done sooner.
"With our growing population and growing aged population the hospital needs to be rebuilt sooner," she said.
Ms Goward also attacked the Health Department bureaucracy.
"There aren't enough frontline workers, but the Department of Health has a huge bureaucracy," she said.
Ms Goward and the Shadow Minister for Health, Jillian Skinner will host a health forum at St Jude's Church, Bowral, today at 2.30pm (April 27). It was important that the community came along to tell Ms Skinner what the problems with medical services in the area were in case she was to become the next health minister, Ms Goward said.
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