Labor disputes between doctors and the government have led to a marked increase in the number of patients waiting for non-emergency surgery in South Australia. At present, the number of people waiting for surgery is three times that of 12 months ago. Wage negotiations will be further delayed because of a stalemate in labour negotiations. 1000 South Australian patients have been delayed for non-emergency surgery, up from 393 last year and this year the number of patients awaiting surgery has risen sharply. In the past two months, 826 people have been delayed.
Health Secretary Peter Malinauskas said the relocation of the new Royal Adelaide caused the delay in surgery for 186 patients. Laura Willington, chairman of the South Australian Healthcare payroll, said doctors would go on strike on Thursday, Oct. 12, in the hope of increasing the government's focus on doctors' salaries.
Dr. Willington said the cancellation of outpatient and non-emergency surgery on the day of the strike would put a lot of pressure on the health care system. Mr. Malinauskas told Congress that a significant increase in emergency departments had led to an increase in the number of delayed non-emergency procedures.
"obviously, we are seeing an increase in the number of attendants in the emergency department of the system, and then patients are deployed through the medical system, which requires non-emergency surgery," Mr. Malinauskas said.
September 27, 2017 (Wednesday)-the clinical department of the New Royal Adelaide Hospital advised 79 patients to delay a maximum of 30 days and 21 patients 60 to 90 days later.
A patient with a problem with the urinary system has waited more than 90 days for surgery.
Stephen Wade, a spokesman for the Ministry of Health, said the move to the New Royal Adelaide Hospital was in the midst of a high flu epidemic, putting a lot of pressure on the entire medical network.
"it has also led to a surge in the number of patients awaiting non-acute surgery, which in no way increases the risk and exacerbates the condition," Mr. Wade said.
"the large number of patients waiting for surgery also demonstrates the importance of the government repairing relationships with doctors in public hospitals as soon as possible." After members of the South Australian Healthcare payroll Group rejected the government's proposed 1.5 percent increase in doctors' pay, Dr. Willington said he would meet with Governor Jay Weatherill and Mr. Malinauskas on Tuesday Oct. 3 to discuss a new pay package.
"A 1.5 percent pay package is not a sincere proposal, and our members will not accept it," Dr. Willington said. She said doctors usually use practical action to push the negotiation process forward, and they hope that the strike on Thursday, October 12, 2017, will urge the government to make a decision as soon as possible.
A government spokesman said it was important to ensure good results for both employers and employees, but stressed that improving services was the top priority.
