‘Major crisis’ in NSW mental health care escalates as public psychiatrists prepare to quit en masse

State hospitals face exodus of 150 specialists amid standoff with government over pay

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New South Wales risks losing 150 psychiatrists in a matter of weeks if the health department fails to reach negotiations with the union, as a “major crisis” in mental health care escalates.

On Friday, the NSW Industrial Relations Commission (NSW IRC) issued a direction to union members to delay any resignation notices until 15 January next year, as it remained in a standoff with the state government over pay disputes.

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