Doctors welcome government pay rise

THE State Government has implemented a 2 per cent pay rise for doctors in the NorthWest, as well as incentives to recruit specialists in the region.

The moves have been welcomed by the Australian Medical Association.

The Government said North-West doctors would receive the annual 2 per cent pay rise effective from July 1 last year until July 1, 2019, with pays backdated.

The pay increase is part of the new Salaried Medical Practitioners Agreement.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson said it was no secret the North-West had always struggled to attract health specialists, with the Government also implementing a pay incentive of 25 per cent to recruit and retain health specialists in the area.

“[This is] for a two-year trial period for specialists that will be located in the North-West region,” he said.

“The fixed-term trial is aimed specifically at testing the effectiveness of such an allowance in meeting the health needs of the North-West.

“[This is] by attracting and retaining specialists to the region, as well as helping to decrease the overall health costs by reducing the use of locums.”

AMA Tasmania president Stuart Day said the pay rise was a good outcome, but was especially pleased with the implementation of incentives for specialists.

He said temporary locums cost the government $3500 a day, which incentives could alleviate.

“We think that’s a good start,” Dr Day said.

“That is not available anywhere else in the state.”