00:00This is the reality for some of the state's mental health patients.
00:06Gordon Stewart spent two nights on the floor of the emergency department in Coffs Harbour
00:10after attempting to take his own life.
00:13With no buzzer, no monitors, it was quite distressing to find my 72-year-old father
00:18laying on the floor.
00:20Doctors say the mental health system's in a catastrophic decline, with nearly a third
00:24of psychiatrist positions unfilled.
00:26Dr Catherine Drew is among about 200 who are now quitting in protest.
00:30Our patients are not receiving the care that we believe would be appropriate.
00:36To recruit new staff and stop existing specialists going interstate, psychiatrists want a 25
00:42per cent single year pay rise.
00:44The government's offering just 10.5 per cent over three.
00:48But it's also offering all staff psychiatrists a 10 per cent onerous duties allowance.
00:53And it's seeking urgent arbitration in the Industrial Relations Commission.
00:57Giving a commitment that the finding of that independent umpire, the government will accept.
01:02That I think is a very reasonable path forward, that is clear.
01:07The government plans to rely on casual or locum doctors to fill the gaps left by mass
01:11resignations, paying them $3,000 per day to avoid meeting the demands of existing staff.
01:18We are incredibly concerned that this government is choosing to waste so much public money
01:24and throw patients, doctors and the entire mental health system under the bus, simply
01:31to save face.
01:32The government's been contacting the more than 200 psychiatrists who've tendered their
01:36resignations, asking them to reconsider.
01:39It says some have changed their minds, others have delayed their decisions, but it's refusing
01:44to provide the numbers.
01:47Doctors say the effect of the resignations may not be noticed for some days, but they'll
01:51be felt across the public hospital system.
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