New incentives for psychiatrics announced

16/5/95

In a major thrust to overcome the current crisis in mental health services, the Government has offered outstanding new incentives for psychiatrists including an annual salary of more than $118,000.

Health Minister Graham Kierath said the ground-breaking workplace agreements would, for the first time, offer an attraction and retention bonus.

Bonuses totalling 31 per cent, salary packaging and other incentives were being offered to consultant psychiatrists to entice them to work in Western Australia's public mental health system.

The workplace agreements, which had been approved by Cabinet, could cost about $1.6 million extra and would be accommodated in the health budget.

"The problem of keeping psychiatrists and also attracting them to the public system has long been identified as one of the prime problems with mental health in this State," Mr Kierath said.

"The Government had no option but to bite the bullet and come up with an attractive package."

The Minister said on top of the base salary of $90,400 for psychiatrists, the Government was offering 16 per cent in lieu of rights to private practice and a further 15 per cent in the form of an attraction and retention allowance.

This would bring the total cash package to $118,424.

Three-months long service leave with paid international travel would be available after five years.

An option was for psychiatrists to be able to package up to 30 per cent of the salary.

"We have scoured the nation and overseas to try to find the psychiatrists we desperately need to get the mental health system to full strength," Mr Kierath said.

"A recruitment drive through the UK, Canada and US attracted some interest but it is now down to a question of what we can offer them.

"This workplace agreement is breaking new ground and psychiatrists have been given the inside running ahead of other health professionals.

"I believe it is a good deal and will attract those from overseas who are interested.

"It will also help to keep existing psychiatrists in the system."

Media contact:  Brian Coulter 222 9595 / 481 2133