The NSW public health system is struggling as psychiatrists resign in droves. 

Staff shortages, outdated industrial conditions, and inadequate pay have driven 43 psychiatrists to quit in recent weeks, with dozens more expected to follow. 

The crisis has forced closures of mental health beds across hospitals, leaving psychiatric care at a critical juncture.  

Over 200 psychiatrists have threatened to resign, demanding a 25 per cent pay rise to attract and retain specialists, a move the NSW Government has labelled unaffordable. 

Instead, the government is relying on locum replacements and task-sharing arrangements to contain the fallout.  

Dr Kathryn Austin, President of AMA NSW, has described the situation as “catastrophic for patients and their families” and emblematic of a wider health system crisis. 

“New hospitals are of minimal value without expert health staff available to deliver services,” she said.  

Reports say that more than 60 mental health beds have been closed temporarily at facilities like Westmead and Cumberland hospitals. 

Internal memos allegedly show that non-medical executives are now approving decisions to call on-duty psychiatry staff, further alarming health professionals.  

“People who often have no experience in clinical medicine will now be making health-related decisions,” a senior psychiatrist told reporters. 

NSW Health Minister Rose Jackson has acknowledged the resignations, stating 99 psychiatrists had delayed departures and 23 locums had been recruited. 

However, critics argue that contingency plans fail to address root causes or include sufficient consultation.  

The Nurses and Midwives' Association has rejected proposals to have nurses take on psychiatric duties, labelling the plan “ludicrous”.

Meanwhile, Queensland’s health department has capitalised on the situation, running advertisements offering higher pay and better conditions to attract NSW psychiatrists. 

The dispute will be addressed by the NSW Industrial Relations Commission in March. 

Ms Jackson has urged psychiatrists to delay resignations until then.

“If the IRC comes to the determination that a 25 per cent wage increase is fair and reasonable, we'll pay it,” she said.

Unions and medical groups are demanding swift reforms, warning that mental health patients in NSW face prolonged disruption unless urgent action is taken.

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