After intense talks over SA doctors’ pay, the conversation will continue on Monday

Talks on the public sector doctors’ pay claim failed to reach a breakthrough on Thursday, leaving the threat of a strike on Wednesday unless further talks on Monday reach a deal.

Talks to try to resolve the public sector doctors’ pay claim dispute — and end the threat of a strike — will continue on Monday after intense negotiations on Thursday ended without an agreement.

A full day has been set aside to try to find a compromise and avoid a potential strike next Wednesday.

Kyam Maher says a 30 per cent pay rise over three years is “just so far out of kilter”. Pic Roy VanDerVegt

The SA Salaried Medical Officers Association (SASMOA) has been campaigning for a 10 per cent, per year, pay rise over three years while the government had offered 3.5 per cent.

While it has indicated it is prepared to compromise, SASMOA says the substantial rise is needed to attract and retain doctors in South Australia, as public hospital clinicians deal with the stress of clogged emergency departments and rising violence.

However, the government has rejected the claim, as the Auditor-General’s report shows top clinicians — with years of training and experience, and huge responsibilities — earning between $360,000 and $1.7 million a year.

Industrial Relations Minister Kyam Maher says a 30 per cent pay rise over three years is “just so far out of kilter with what most other people are receiving” and is not something the government can accept.

He said senior public hospital doctors are among the highest paid in the nation but acknowledged junior doctors need better pay.

SASMOA chief industrial officer Bernadette Mulholland says SA’s junior medical workforce is now the second lowest paid in the country.

SASMOA chief industrial officer Bernadette Mulholland. Picture: Tom Huntley

“We need to make sure that our salaries are competitive with the rest of the nation,” she said.

“If we don’t get a good wages and conditions agreement what the community will see is a reduction in medical staffing in South Australia.”

The talks took place as hospitals were yet again struggling with demand — at 5.30pm on Thursday there were 395 patients being treated in metropolitan public EDs, despite the combined official capacity being 333.

While up to 700 doctors will walk off the job on Wednesday if the strike proceeds, SASMOA says any industrial action would see hospitals staffed at a public holiday level, ensuring patient safety.

It would also affect elective surgery, which is already being wound back due to pressure to deal with relentless demand coming through EDs.

As of Wednesday there were 24,019 patients listed as ready for elective surgery, with 5823 listed as overdue.

Earlier this month more than 8000 public sector allied health workers won a 13.5 per cent pay rise over four years, after initially campaigning for 25 per cent.

The deal covering workers including psychologists, physiotherapists, radiographers and pharmacists, was called “fair and reasonable” by the Health Services Union.

It includes improvements covering better access to professional development allowances as well as regional incentive payments.

Originally published as After intense talks over SA doctors’ pay, the conversation will continue on Monday