'Heartbreaking': resigning psychiatrist slams government amid mass exodus

That's how psychiatrist Dr Kathryn Drew describes the current state of psychiatry in NSW public hospitals.

"The whole system is permanently underresourced and stretched, and we are unable to provide a range of evidence-based treatments to people with severe mental illness," Dr Drew said.

"It is just heartbreaking to not be able to provide the level of service that every person deserves."

The northern NSW psychiatrist is one of 200 specialist psychiatrists who have handed in their resignation at public hospitals due to stalled pay negotiations and the growing pressure of staff shortages.

Dr Drew has worked in public psychiatry for 25 years. But she said the current conditions are untenable.

Psychiatrists in NSW earn 30 per cent less than those in other states, and the state is also dealing with a 30 per cent vacancy rate.

"People have great difficulty working in an underfunded system indefinitely," she said.

Health Minister Ryan Park has admitted the mass resignations will affect the system, not just mental health patients.

However, he said the government would not agree to the 25 per cent pay increase demand which Mr Park said adds up to $90,000 on each salary.

Dr Drew said the situation is particularly dire in regional NSW where there are only a handful of salaried staff in the public hospitals.

Most are locums (contracted) or visiting medical officers.

"These locums are paid two to three times the amount staff psychiatrists are paid," she said.

She said it is the patients who inevitably suffer.

"We have seen many doctors in our time. How long will you be staying?" a patient asked their doctor last week, she said.

Dr Drew said they would never have an "adequate workforce" until they have the right conditions.

"I am incredibly distressed to see a government that is acting like it is OK if we all walk away," she said.

She said she was particularly disappointed Mr Park and Premier Chris Minns had not met with anyone from the group of psychiatrists who are resigning despite multiple attempts.

Mr Minns has been contacted for comment.

The president of the Australian Medical Association NSW branch Dr Kathryn Austin echoed Dr Drew's comments.

"The continuing impasse between public hospital psychiatrists and the NSW government is catastrophic for patients and their families, and a clear sign of a health system in crisis," she said.

"A key element of our claim for all specialities will be ensuring higher rates for doctors working in rural and regional areas.

"We see this as critical to attracting and retaining doctors to work in rural and regional NSW and to ensure patients are able to access care close to home."

The disruption is expected to be immense.

A spokesperson for NSW Health said they had written to the resigning psychiatrists urging them to reconsider their resignations.

"NSW Health has plans in place to try to manage this impact and to continue to provide care, particularly to those people most in need," the spokesperson said.

This includes establishing a Mental Health Emergency Operations Centre, engaging with the private sector and closely monitoring the call capacity of the existing Mental Health Line.

Despite these plans, NSW Health acknowledged the resignations will cause extensive disruption to mental health services across the state.

Wagga Wagga patient Sam Ryot did not mince words about what the exodus will mean for patients when speaking to ACM's Daily Advertiser.

"If 200 psychiatrists are leaving the profession this year, people will die - that's as simple as it gets," he said.

The Murrumbidgee Local Health District is yet to confirm if any of the psychiatrists leaving the profession are located within the Riverina. If so, Mr Ryot, like many others, will have to seek private care.

For Dr Drew, it's the end of a long service to public health.

"I had a very strong belief in the role of the public health system," she said. "People are entitled to healthcare as a right. I have wanted to contribute to my whole life."

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