‘Major crisis’ in NSW mental health care escalates as public psychiatrists prepare to quit en masse

Australia’s public health system is buckling under the weight of growing competition with the private sector and other states, Prof Ian HIckie says. Photograph: Microgen Images/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF

New South Wales risks losing 150 psychiatrists in a matter of weeks if the health department fails to reach negotiations with the union, as a “major crisis” in mental health care escalates.

On Friday, the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (NSW IRC) issued a direction to union members to delay any resignation notices until 15 January next year, as it remained in a standoff with the state government over pay disputes.