Qld: Specialist doctors threaten to quit over pay dispute

AAP General News (Australia)
08-16-2005
Qld: Specialist doctors threaten to quit over pay dispute

Twenty medical specialists have threatened to quit a major Brisbane hospital over a
pay dispute with the Queensland government.

The Australian Medical Association says the visiting medical officers at the Royal
Brisbane and Women's Hospital will resign if their colleagues in other major hospitals
support them.

AMA spokesman ROSS CARTMILL says four departments at the hospital -- ear, nose and
throat, urology, vascular and plastic surgery -- will effectively be shut down if they
quit.

Dr CARTMILL says more specialists are expected to resign later this month from the
Mater, Prince Charles and Princess Alexandra hospitals in Brisbane, the Gold Coast Hospital
and the Nambour Hospital.

Visiting medical officers have overwhelmingly rejected the government's offer of a
four per cent pay rise.

AAP RTV rm/sc/wjf/rt

KEYWORD: VMO (BRISBANE)

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