NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association instruct members to turn down psychiatrist duties

More than 80,000 NSW health workers have been told not to take on the work of psychiatrists, despite the Minns government’s pleas to help plug the gap. This is why they are taking a stand.

More than 80,000 NSW health workers have been told not to take on the work of psychiatrists, despite the Minns government’s pleas to help plug the gap.

After 10 per cent of the public psychiatry workforce resigned this week, the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) circulated an email to members instructing them to only work within their scope of practice, and to consult the union before taking on extra duties “as this may be an unlawful instruction”.

“If you are being asked to perform duties outside your typical remit due to the absence of a psychiatrist, please consider whether this is appropriate,” the email read.

NSWNMA general secretary Shaye Candish said union representatives had been at the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) since Wednesday seeking clarity from NSW Health about what the contingency plans demanded of nurses.

Ms Candish said the instruction would remain in place until these questions were answered.

“Our instruction to our members is not to change any of the work they are doing,” Ms Candish said.

NSWNMA general secretary Shaye Candish urged nurses to consult the union before undertaking any additional duties. Picture: Tim Hunter.

“At this point we are unclear about what any of the government’s plans actually are in terms of the changes being proposed in response to the psychiatrist resignations.

“Having people expand their scope in this area - while they might somewhat have the skills to do it – (currently) must do so under psychiatrist supervision for it to be within the law.

Nurses and midwives held a 24-hour statewide strike in November over their own pay rise dispute with the government. Picture: NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

“Our members are all regulated workers so we have to make sure they are operating within the requirements of the national registration and requirements of the nursing and midwifery profession.”

The NSWNMA is the largest union in the state, with more than 50,000 public sector nurses making up the majority of members.

Ms Candish said the call-up had inspired “little good will” among the workforce due to their own push for a 15 per cent pay rise.

Although nurses were awarded a 3 per cent interim wage increase last year, negotiations are at a standstill with the matter back before the IRC in September.

“There has been a flat refusal to acknowledge how incredibly hard these people are already working…and yet at the same time they are expected to go in and mop up this mess,” Ms Candish said.

Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson said nurses would be renumerated for working additional hours. Picture: NewsWire / Nikki Short

NSWNMA Prince of Wales mental health branch secretary Skye Romer, said nurses and psychiatrists were struggling with the same “broken system”.

“We are definitely in favour of expanded roles for nurses but you can’t use us as a stop gap in a crisis with no planning, no discussion, and no increase in salary,” Ms Romer said.

“High staff turnover and excessive demand for services are a direct result of low wages and poor working conditions, which means that nurses, midwives and now psychiatrists are choosing not to practise in the public health system.”

Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson said contingency plans were not “asking healthcare professionals to take on roles or tasks they aren’t qualified or confident to handle”.

“Psychiatrists play an important role within our healthcare system, but if mass resignations are being planned, we must focus on equipping our skilled and experienced workforce to maintain continuity of care,” she said.

“If additional hours or overtime is required in the short term, it will be appropriately remunerated.”

Originally published as NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association instruct members to turn down psychiatrist duties