Doctors take fight against Transforming Health to Industrial Relations Commission

A DOCTOR’S union is preparing to take its fight against the State Government’s Transforming Health reforms to the Industrial Relations Commission over claims the changes are unfair on staff and patients.

Modbury Hospital

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A DOCTOR’S union is preparing to take its fight against the State Government’s Transforming Health reforms to the Industrial Relations Commission over claims the changes are unfair on staff and patients.

The South Australian Salaried Medical Officers Association is planning to lodge a dispute with the tribunal to stop the reforms, which includes the downgrading of Modbury Hospital’s Emergency Department and transferring its workload to Lyell McEwin Hospital in Elizabeth.

The union argues the changes are dangerous for patients and distressing for doctors at the hospitals.

It comes after the clinical director of Modbury’s Emergency Department Dr Dewald Behrens quit the role last week in frustration.

In his resignation letter, Dr Dewald Behrens said: “I take the ability to take responsibility for the department as an integral component of the role but find lately I am not able to do this anymore as the ... decision-making process is not concerned with my input.”

SASMOA president David Pope said legal action would be launched within days if the government did not start addressing doctors’ concerns.

“We’re seeking to make sure that no further changes occur until everybody is satisfied that (it’s safe),” he said.

“This shows that there’s absolutely nothing clinician-led about Transforming Health.”

Dr Pope said doctors were concerned they would not be able to treat a patient who may present at Modbury with a life-threatening emergency, such as a heart attack or stroke.

The reforms are designed to have patients present at Lyell McEwin Hospital in Elizabeth and those presenting at Modbury to be transferred via ambulance.

He said the move towards legal action was sparked by mass confusion over how the new arrangements would work.

Last week, 32 medical beds were transferred from Modbury Hospital to the Lyell McEwin as the northeastern hospital transitions from a rehabilitation and day surgery centre as part of the changes.

Mr Pope said he had been inundated with distressed calls, texts and emails from doctors at Modbury since the beds were removed.

“I’ve been getting after-hours phone calls because doctors are finding they can’t properly care for patients at Modbury,” he said.

“They’re asking for the association to try to do more to reverse some of these changes because it’s not safe for them.

Australian Medical Association SA Branch chief executive officer Joe Hooper said the association was also monitoring the changes at northern hospitals.

He said the association and SASMOA this week sent a survey to its members to gauge their thoughts on the reforms and whether adequate consultation had occurred.

“We hear from SA Health that there has been lots of consultation ... but we also want to hear the other side ... as to how they’re feeling about things,” he said.

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation spokeswoman Elizabeth Dabars said the nurses’ union recently met with the health department to discuss the reforms and concerns over job security and entitlements as well as adequate care for patients.

Health Minister Jack Snelling did not respond to requests for comment.

SA Health declined to comment.