Hunter New England Local Health District has responded to Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan concerns regarding expenditure on locum doctors in hospitals.
In a Question on Notice directed to the Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park, Northern Tablelands MP Brendan Moylan sought the total expenditure on locum doctors and specialists for Armidale, Glen Innes, Inverell and Moree hospital, claiming the Government deflected the question and instead withholds information from the public to avoid scrutiny and accountability.
A spokesperson for the Health District says Locum pay rates or expenditure patterns are commercial in confidence as releasing this information could distort the locum labour market and hamper our ability to negotiate value-for-money arrangements.
In a statement to STA FM the Health District admits using locums ensures essential health care continues and come at a higher cost and states they remain focused on strengthening their permanent workforce in regional areas to reduce reliance on temporary staff over time and improve continuity of care for patients.
Full Statement:
Locum doctors play a crucial role in the NSW Health workforce by providing temporary medical cover to fill staffing gaps caused by vacancies, leave, or illness, particularly in regional and rural areas.
While using locums ensures essential health care continues, it can come at a higher cost.
Locum pay rates or expenditure patterns are commercial in confidence as releasing this information could distort the locum labour market and hamper our ability to negotiate value-for-money arrangements.
We remain focused on strengthening our permanent workforce in regional areas to reduce reliance on temporary staff over time and improve continuity of care for patients.
We have a high retention rate for permanent medical staff which is stable at more than 94 per cent.
We also offer a range of incentives in our regional and rural facilities to continue to attract and retain highly skilled healthcare workers, including NSW Health’s Rural Health Workforce Incentive Scheme.
Media Statement: Hunter New England Local Health District
