NT pharmacists threaten industrial action after closure looms over Katherine Hospital department

Pharmacists and technicians in Darwin, Alice and Katherine hospitals are ‘critically’ understaffed and struggling to function, according to Professional Pharmacists Australia.

Katherine District Hospital. Picture: Alex Treacy

Territorian pharmacists and technicians are threatening strike action as “burnt out” hospital staff in Darwin, Katherine and Alice are facing “critical” understaffing.

Pharmacy vacancy rates are so high, that Katherine Hospital pharmacy department is in danger of closing in a few months according to Professional Pharmacists Australia.

The union which represents non-owner community and hospital pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, said members are threatening industrial action if vacancy rates are not urgently addressed.

While recruiting and keeping health staff in the NT is a well recorded issue, pharmacists and technicians at Royal Darwin Hospital and Alice Springs Hospital are currently operating with a 30 per cent vacancy rate.

Alice Springs Hospital. Picture: Gera Kazakov

In Katherine, the lack of qualified candidates could result in the pharmacy department’s closure.

This will cause “serious barriers” to patients accessing treatment, said the president of Professional Pharmacists Australia (PPA).

President Leon Yap said it would impact a range of patients including those going through chemotherapy at the hospital.

“While the pharmacy team at Royal Darwin Hospital works hard on contingency plans there is a very real threat to cancer services in regional NT, especially if staffing levels at Royal Darwin Hospital are not addressed,” he said.

Royal Darwin Hospital vacancy rates are currently at 30 per cent according to PPA. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“There have been longstanding vacancy rates that have been ignored and without these services, patient safety is at serious risk and services will face closure.’

“Our members have asked for an attraction and retention allowance and improvements to base pay rates and conditions as part of enterprise agreement negotiations.

“However, the offer put forward by NT Government is inadequate and puts our members in a position where they are unable to compete with other states and territories for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians during the recruitment process.”

Despite 12 months of negotiations with the government, Mr Yap said members feel “ignored” and serious concerns disregarded.

He said industrial action is the “last thing” health care professionals want but in the face of burn out, long hours and “critical” understaffing, they feel it is the only choice left to protect patient safety.

“They’re committed to patient care, but the system continues to undermine them,” Mr Yap added.

“PPA is calling on the NT government to act now and provide an offer as part of enterprise agreement negotiations that will boost attraction and retention and allow the pharmacy department to fill vacant roles and stem the tide of resignations.”

NT Health and the Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment have been contacted to comment.

Originally published as NT pharmacists threaten industrial action after closure looms over Katherine Hospital department