The new NT Health Minister says he was unaware his department head intervened to stop a planned protest by doctors during a speech the minister was due to give in Darwin. In a letter to the doctor’s union, and then later in a memo to the whole department, the CEO reminded health staff of their obligations to keep quiet on government policy.
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00It's one of Steve Edgington's biggest announcements so far as Health Minister.
00:07Pharmacies across the NT will soon be able to prescribe medication for uncomplicated
00:11conditions.
00:13From the 28th of October, community pharmacists will be able to diagnose and treat UTIs, commonly
00:21known as urinary tract infections.
00:23It's hoped the measure will relieve pressure on GP clinics and hospitals.
00:27It really is a game changer in women's health.
00:30More than a thousand doctors and medical staff from across the country are meeting in Darwin
00:35this week to discuss the big challenges in public health.
00:39But it's the recent laws to lower the age of criminal responsibility that's leading
00:43some to speak out.
00:45In a letter sent yesterday to the AMA NT President, Health Department CEO Chris Hosking says he
00:50was aware staff and members of the association may be planning on making public comment or
00:56taking other action at the conference against the introduction of new government policies.
01:02This kind of behaviour is not acceptable, he writes, adding, I'm confident that through
01:07your leadership the conference will be free of disruptions.
01:10Then in an email to all health staff, the CEO said employees are bound by the Code of
01:15Conduct to impartially support and implement the policies of the government of the day.
01:21Dr Robert Parker of the AMA says the association had nothing to do with the planned protest.
01:26You don't tell members what to do.
01:28The AMA's got no legal or coercive power to do anything.
01:32It just gives advice.
01:33The Minister says he was unaware of his CEO's intention and couldn't attend the event anyway.
01:38I'd have to have a closer look at the statement but the CEO is more than entitled to remind
01:44all staff that there is a Code of Conduct in place.
01:46I think their voices should be heard.
01:48I think their expertise should be noted.
01:50And I think that they shouldn't be silenced.
01:53But for organisers of the conference, it's a missed opportunity.
01:56As with any health minister, actually so far everyone that I've ever met, we don't agree
02:01with all their policies.
02:02And we're very concerned about the issues relating to rural and remote health, which
02:07is why we wanted to engage the Minister.
02:09A conversation for another time.