A Sydney doctor has revealed he was forced to work two jobs to pay his bills as colleagues complain of being the busiest yet worst paid in the country. More than 3500 doctors participated in a three-day strike last week, with the Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation (ASMOF) stating this is “just the beginning.” ASMOF president Dr. Nicholas Spooner emphasized the movement doctors are building together, declaring that the health system is not safe and must be fixed.
The state government proposed a 10.5% pay rise over three years, which was rejected by the union demanding a 30% increase to align with other states. Dr. Andrew Sarson, a resident medical officer, shared his struggles of working two jobs due to financial pressures. Initially, his application for a second job was denied for ‘fatigue’ reasons, but after expressing his mortgage concerns, he was allowed to work overtime.
Data from ASMOF indicates that a staff specialist doctor in NSW earns $262,000 per year, nearly 40% less than their counterparts in South Australia. Meanwhile, an intern doctor in NSW earns around $76,000, which is about $5000 less compared to other regions. Dr. Sarson highlighted the misconception that doctors earn high salaries, stating that wages are “relatively poor” unless they pursue specialist training.
In a survey of young doctors in the NSW Health system, sentiments echoed similar frustrations about pay and conditions. Responses included:
- “Everything can be better.”
- “Why are NSW doctors the lowest paid state despite high living costs?”
- “Professional stagnation in many specialty pathways deter ambition.”
- “We feel understaffed and overworked.”
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park acknowledged that current salaries for junior doctors are “not commensurate” with their skills and admitted the challenges of addressing 12 years of wage suppression. The strike resulted in the cancellation of approximately 370 elective surgeries and 3020 outpatient appointments. ASMOF demanded a formal apology from the government regarding misinformation about cancer treatment cancellations during the strike.
For further insights into the ongoing challenges faced by healthcare professionals in Australia, stay tuned for updates.
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