Unhappy staff complain before opening of new Northern Beaches Hospital
DISGRUNTLED hospital staff have aired their grievances just days before Northern Beaches Hospital opens.
Manly
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JUST 10 days before Northern Beaches Hospital opens unhappy doctors, nurses and midwives are coming forward with claims they are being treated poorly and that services will be inadequate.
The Manly Daily has been contacted by a number of disgruntled medical practitioners making various allegations most of which have been refuted by the new private operator Healthscope.
One specialist said a number of Ear, Nose and Throat surgeons were yet to sign contracts meaning the hospital could open without a service, although Healthscope has denied that would be the case.
There have also been accusations over the way Healthscope has treated new staff so far.
A spokesman from Australian Medical Association, representing doctors, said “many members found the process associated with the contract very distressing”.
Another concern was the financial implications for staff transferring.
One long-term Manly Hospital nurse, who did not want to be named, said many of the “rank and file” would be out of pocket in the move.
The nurse said many were not being compensated for losing out on salary packaging, a NSW Government health staff perk, where the first $9000 of their income tax free.
On top of that staff have to pay to park, when staff parking was currently free.
“Instantly, it means we will get a pay cut,” the nurse said.
“Having to pay to park adds to the financial burden and is another grab at our lowered wages.”
The nurse also questioned why staff had only received their rosters for the first week and a half, meaning it was impossible to plan anything.
Meanwhile, a northern beaches midwife said she had been told that the three public-only birthing pools at the new hospital would also be made available to private patients, something Healthscope also denies.
“It’s shocking that with just ten days to go there’s still so much uncertainty,” she said.
Helena Mooney from Friends of Northern Beaches Maternity Services said there were many concerns over maternity services at the new hospital and the group would be holding a rally at the site the weekend after it opens, on Sunday, November 4, at 10.30am, to raise awareness of the issues.
A Healthscope spokesman said staff had been told since 2015 that Northern Beaches Hospital was required to follow the NSW Health hospital parking policy and the weekly parking rate for staff was $23.20.
“Staff have also been informed since 2015 that it is not possible for private organisations to provide salary packaging — this is an Australian Tax Office ruling.”
The spokesman added that rosters would be released in line with Manly and Mona Vale Hospitals’ rosters, as many staff are transferring part way through a roster period.