Budget cuts at Kyneton District Health could trigger an exodus of specialist staff, an experienced anaesthetist has warned.
Dr John Gray, who has worked at the hospital for more than 20 years, said moves to slash specialist anaesthetists’ total pay by up to
50 per cent had some doctors considering their next move.
‘‘There are some people who have made up their minds to go,’’ he said.
‘‘There are some who are willing to stay, but it’s very dependent on the hospital’s response.’’
Revised contracts offered to specialist anaesthetists follow management’s recent decision to reduce surgical lists and cut the rostered hours of theatre staff, as it tries to bring the hospital’s budget back into line.
Some surgeons have also been asked to accept cuts of between three and 10 per cent so that all are paid at the same rate.
Dr Gray said the changes would force specialist anaesthetists to decide not to make the trip from Melbourne, meaning the hospital would have to employ GP anaesthetists to replace them.
He said this could lead to more problems for doctors and patients.
‘‘Let’s say giving anaesthesia is like flying an aeroplane; 95 per cent of the time it all goes really smoothly, five per cent of the time there are problems and every now and then there’s a catastrophe.
‘‘The hospital may well say we only do healthy patients and small procedures, but things go wrong even with fit patients. Fit, healthy patients can have allergic reactions. You need that experience.’’
Dr Gray said the absence of specialist anaesthetists could also lead to the departure of paediatric and eye, nose and throat surgeons unwilling to have GP anaesthetists do their lists.
‘‘We understand the hospital has to make cuts and we are more than happy to sit down and come to a reasonable compromise. ‘But we feel it is unfair for the hospital to target one sector to such an extent,’’ he said. A hospital spokeswoman said all anaesthetists would become casual employees rather than contracted consultants.
‘‘The change in payment set-up means the impact on an individual’s take-home pay will be minimal, while the organisation’s bottom line will be improved.
‘‘GP anaesthetists are already a part of our workforce,’’ she said.
The spokeswoman said significant improvements had been made to the hospital’s budget across its departments.
‘‘These changes to employment conditions are an important part of the plan to break even in the year ahead.’’
