Chief psychiatrist Aaron Groves part of $25,000 overseas trip to recruit mental health workers

Tasmania’s chief psychiatrist will travel on a $25,000 taxpayer-funded overseas trip to hold face-to-face interviews with specialist mental health nurses and psychiatrists.

Taxpayers will find the recruitment trip. Picture: London & Partners

TASMANIA’S chief psychiatrist will travel on a $25,000 taxpayer-funded trip to Britain to hold face-to-face interviews with specialist mental health nurses and psychiatrists.

Aaron Groves will be joined by another Tasmanian psychiatrist and three British-born mental health nurses on the nine-day tour through five cities in Britain from January 25.

Chief psychiatrist Dr Aaron Groves. Picture: SUPPLIED

Dr Groves said the state had long struggled to recruit mental health nurses and psychiatrists with about 30 vacancies in the public health system — some of which had been empty for more than a year.

Britain had the opposite problem, he said, with more nurses than jobs.

“We’ve been advertising Australia-wide and still can’t fill them,” Dr Groves said.

“[Professionals from England and Ireland] are amongst the best trained staff anywhere in the world.”

Dr Groves said it was important the interviews were conducted in-country so the panel could build a better relationship with the potential new employees, who, if selected, would have their visas organised by State Growth and some moving costs covered.

The Health and Community Sector Union wrote to Health Department secretary Michael Pervan this week to question the international trip.

Assistant state secretary Robbie Moore said the Tasmanian Health Service should focus on recruiting and retaining local talent rather than looking overseas.