NSW Faces Public Mental Health Crisis as Nearly 200 Psychiatrists Resign

A mass resignation of public psychiatrists in New South Wales threatens to destabilize the mental health system, with state officials scrambling to implement contingency plans.

• Approximately 198 of New South Wales' 295 public psychiatrists have tendered their resignations, effective January 21, over a pay dispute with the state government.
• Psychiatrists are demanding a 25% pay increase, citing a 30% wage gap compared to their interstate counterparts, while the government has offered a 10.5% raise over three years.
• The state government is relying on locum psychiatrists, offering daily 'crisis rates' of up to $3,050, as a temporary solution to fill staffing gaps.
• Recruitment efforts include targeting international doctors with fast-track pathways and promotional pitches highlighting lifestyle benefits in NSW cities and coastal areas.
• Experts warn that the reliance on locums and overseas recruits is unsustainable and fails to address systemic issues, including the lack of competitive pay and structural reform in the public mental health system.

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