RAH’s gynaecologists told they won’t be rehired — then offered jobs as locums

CONFUSION: Six visiting gynaecologists at the Royal Adelaide Hospital were told their contracts won’t be renewed after June 30, only to get letters three days later offering them jobs as locums. Picture: Thinkstock
Source: News Limited

ALL six visiting gynaecologists at the Royal Adelaide Hospital have been told their contracts will not be renewed when they expire on June 30.

The Visiting Medical Specialists — who are on contract rather than being full time employees — then all received another letter three days later offering them jobs as locums.

The confusion comes as SA Health prepares to shift gynaecological surgical services to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital from July, although consultancies will continue to be held at the RAH.

The same gynaecologists last year all signed a letter of protest about services being moved to the QEH rather than the new Royal Adelaide Hospital as was originally promised, warning the move would put patient safety at risk.

They say downgrading the QEH Emergency Department will add to that risk.

The only gynaecological work scheduled for the new RAH is associated with cancer.

A letter from the Central Adelaide Local Health Network acting chief executive Gloria Wallace to the specialists said they would not be reappointed on the conclusion of their current appointments on June 30, thanked them for their service and wished them well in future.

The letter, dated March 27, was followed by one on March 30 in which Ms Wallace offers them locum positions until December 30, for an average six hours per week.

Specialists who spoke to The Advertiser on a background basis said they expect some contracts may then be extended and others not.

“It is terribly disrespectful — to be told by letter you are effectively sacked one day, then to get an offer to be a locum virtually the next is pretty poor,” one said.

“If there are problems they could just sit down with us and talk face-to-face.

SA Health released a statement saying: “SA Health has a legal obligation to inform doctors of our intention to renew their contracts three months before their existing contracts expire.

“Many VMOs at the RAH have been offered three year contracts. However, doctors in some specialties have been offered six month contracts while we work through the resources, skills and expertise the Central Adelaide Local Health Network will need going forward before making long-term commitments.”

The Visiting Medical Specialist Enterprise Agreement (2013) defines contracts offered for six month terms to be described as locum appointments.

The agreement enable contracts to be offered for terms of up to three years.

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RAH’s gynaecologists told they won’t be rehired — then offered jobs as locums