Frustrated at the lack of meaningful progress in their pay claim, hospital doctors in the
Territory are to meet to discuss how to achieve some real action.

Territory salaried doctors recently voted 2:1 against an offer which was structured with pay for Specialists that was 30-40% below market rates for the rest of Australia.

That offer was not supported by the AMA because it would likely lead to serious deterioration in the health system.
.
AMA Northern Territory President, Dr Peter Beaumont said “By not bringing the pays up to
market rates, the health of Territorians is being put at risk because doctors will choose
elsewhere first. We already have a serious shortage of doctors, and it will only get worse unless the doctors reasonable claims are met.”

“Members are angry that despite 18 months of negotiations, there has been no pay rise for 2
years.” Dr Beaumont said “Doctors don’t like taking industrial action because their focus is on patient care, however it is vital that the pay claim is resolved to prevent a total collapse of the healthcare system in the years ahead.”

The Territory public health system is already under huge pressure due to major problems
recruiting and retaining Specialists and DMO’s (senior doctors who supervise remote
healthcare).These doctors not only provide essential services to our system, but are also critical in the attraction and supervision and training of junior doctors and recently arrived overseas trained doctors. “It is unfortunate that this system might only be saved through industrial action” Dr Beaumont said.