Queensland's Senior Doctors Approve New Draft Contracts

After months of negotiation, Queensland Health’s new draft contracts for senior doctors have received a tick of approval from the Visiting Medical Officers (VMOs).
Health Minister Lawrence Springborg will release the draft contract and terms and conditions of employment for comment and consideration today, prior to final negotiations taking place. Mr Springborg said he was keen to see greater involvement of VMOs in the delivery of health care under the new arrangements.
“Dr Cartmill’s (spokesperson representing Queensland Health’s VMSs) endorsement of the draft contract recognises the benefits to the health system and patients of the move away from awards and agreements as outlined in the Blueprint for Better Healthcare in Queensland,” Mr Springborg said. “These new contracts will help ensure VMOs continue to provide specialty services in rural and remote facilities and clinical and teaching services to metropolitan hospitals well into the future. “VMOs include the most respected specialist practitioners contributing to training and the overall advancement of health care.
“The robust draft contract being released today has a number of key clauses to ensure it provides VMOs with modern and flexible working arrangements and a reduced administrative burden. “This process will promote VMOs in the system and reward those prepared to serve Queenslanders as VMOs in our state-run hospital network.
Dr Cartmill said given the industrial problems of the past, it was time practitioners looked at individual contracts as a worthwhile alternative.
“After weeks of negotiation, this is a draft contract worthy of consideration by my colleagues,” Dr Cartmill said.