MEDIA ALERT – JOHN HUNTER HOSPITAL
WHAT | ASMOF member doctors will hold a rally outside John Hunter Hospital to protest against understaffing, unsafe working hours and doctor burnout, which are all putting patient care at risk. |
WHO |
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WHEN | 10:30 am Wednesday 9 April, 2025 |
WHERE | Outside Hunter New England LHD Office, Lookout Road, New Lambton (Corner of Lookout Road and Kookaburra Circuit) |
CONTACT | On the ground contact for John Hunter Hospital rally for media:
Media contacts:
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MEDIA RELEASE
NSW doctors escalate pressure with second day of industrial action
Media release: Wednesday, 9 April 2025
Thousands of frustrated public hospital doctors across New South Wales are today staging a second day of industrial action, intensifying their demands for urgent government intervention to address critical understaffing and unsafe working conditions
ASMOF President Dr Nick Spooner said yesterday's initial day of action saw over 5,000 doctors and hospital staff from 32 hospitals across the state rally for change, delivering a resounding message to the Minns Government that the current situation is unsustainable for both healthcare professionals and patients.
"The rallies were a clear demonstration by thousands of doctors that they are no longer going to operate in conditions that are not safe for staff or patients.
“Thousands of doctors turned out to rallies at Westmead Hospital, Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie Hospital to vent their frustration and anger at years of understaffing, overwork and doctor burnout.
Outside the NSW Ministry of Health, doctors rallied to bring their voices and lay their concerns at the very doorstep of their employer.
“The reality is doctors in NSW are paid 30% less than in other states, leading to a critical loss of talent and exacerbating existing staff shortages.
“Our members are working longer hours, with less support and facing higher demands than ever before. We need immediate action to ensure we can continue to deliver the quality care our patients deserve."
Echoing the concerns raised yesterday, doctors across NSW will again today speak out about the dangerous realities of their daily work, including chronic long hours, crippling fatigue, burnout, and the resulting staff shortages and retention crisis.
The campaign launch - ‘Can’t see a doctor? Ask the Premier’ - the first of its kind in 30 years, has resonated strongly within the medical community, with many doctors courageously sharing their experiences with the media about the risks inherent in delivering essential public healthcare under the current strain.
With doctor strikes set to continue across NSW the second day of industrial action will see further rallies take place at St George Hospital in the Premier’s electorate of Kogarah, John Hunter Hospital, Nepean Hospital, Dubbo Base Hospital and Orange Health Service.
Doctors are reducing services to public holiday staffing levels from Tuesday, 8 am - 8 April, to 10 pm - Thursday, 10 April, as they escalate calls for urgent action to fix dangerous hospital understaffing levels, unsafe hours, and workplace conditions pushing staff out of public health.
ASMOF President Dr Nicholas Spooner encouraged members of the public to take their concerns with NSW hospitals directly to the Premier.
“If you can’t see a doctor in a public hospital, you should ask Premier Chris Minns why not.
“We are demanding real change, not just a marginal 3% pay increase without addressing the fundamental issues of unsafe working conditions.
“This includes ensuring a minimum 10-hour break between shifts and providing crucial support where it's desperately needed, doctors no longer want to put themselves or their patients at risk. Enough is enough.
“While the Government talks about funding healthcare, true improvement requires retaining the skilled doctors who deliver that care.
“We are urgently calling on Premier Minns to return to the negotiating table and prevent further disruption so doctors can return to their primary focus – caring for their patients.
“It's time to write a prescription for Public Health."
Doctors are striking in response to address:
- Chronic doctor shortages across NSW hospitals
- Unsafe hours, including widespread 16-hour back-to-back shifts
- Fatigue and burnout, leading to staff resignations
- Poor retention, with NSW doctors leaving for significantly better conditions interstate
- Lack of genuine negotiation, with the Government walking away from talks
Throughout the strike, emergency departments and critical care units will remain safely staffed, with only non-urgent procedures postponed. Doctors have confirmed that patient safety will not be compromised.
This action mirrors standard public holiday arrangements, similar to what may be expected over Easter.
ASMOF CAMPAIGN VIDEO, SOCIAL MEDIA TILES AND PHOTOS CAN BE FOUND HERE
Permission is granted for media use.
Media contact: Darren Rodrigo – 0414 783 405, Lilia Bednarek – 0449 521 201
Contact details:
On the ground contact:
- Rebecca 0421 112 789
Media Contact:
- Lilia Bednarek – 0449 521 201
