Summarize and humanize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs in EnglishHundreds of patients will have elective surgeries cancelled this week because thousands of ‘exhausted’ doctors across New South Wales are holding a three-day strike. Health Minister Ryan Park confirmed on Monday that emergency departments and planned surgeries will be disrupted by the industrial action despite a union’s claims that patient care will not be affected. Doctors from more than 30 public hospitals walked off the job on Tuesday, with many spending the morning protesting outside Westmead Hospital in Sydney’s west. It marks the first time doctors in NSW have taken industrial action since 1998. Elective surgeries and outpatient clinics are expected to be worst-affected by the strikes, as those doctors not attending protests prioritise emergency care. The NSW Government estimates around 700 elective surgeries will be cancelled due to the strikes which were barred by the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC). More than 100,000 people in the public health system are on the elective surgery waiting list, with that number having tripled since 2023. Mr Park said he was most concerned about the impact on metropolitan tertiary hospitals including Westmead, Prince of Wales, Royal Prince Alfred and St George. Hundreds of patients will go without elective surgeries this week as thousands of ‘exhausted’ doctors across New South Wales launch a three-day strike (pictured) Doctors from more than 30 public hospitals walked off the job on Tuesday, with many spending the morning protesting outside Westmead Hospital in Sydney’s westThe Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation (ASMOF) expected the industrial action to reduce staffing levels at hospitals to those typical of public holidays. It added that safe levels will be maintained in emergency departments and critical care units. The ASMOF announced the strike last week following a refusal by the state government to bring salaries of public doctors in line with other states. The union is demanding a one-off, 30 per cent pay rise in the first year and guaranteed breaks.It refused the state government’s counter of a 10.5 per cent increase over three years plus a backdated three per cent rise. Doctors have argued the pay rises are needed to stop colleagues from moving to other states where pay and conditions are better. ‘Doctors at this rally have actually already signed contracts in other states,’ junior doctor Henry Crayton told AAP.’I’d be lying if I said I myself was not actively looking, because if the state government doesn’t value me and doesn’t help me be the best doctor I can, why would I stay?’ NSW Health Minister Ryan Park (pictured) has criticised the union’s decision to strike despite a contrary ruling by the Industrial Relations Commission The union is demanding a one-off, 30 per cent pay rise in the first year and guaranteed breaksDr Crayton said he’d worked 135 hours in the past fortnight, with one day off, covering 150 patients per shift. ‘That is a completely normal fortnight for me, and I’m over it,’ he said. Another western Sydney doctor said the government’s unwillingness to move on pay and conditions was demoralising. First-year doctors in Queensland earn about $38 an hour but can collect $45 before penalty rates and extra leave.’Patient care is declining simply by virtue of the fact we can’t staff our hospitals appropriately – we are chronically unstaffed,’ Zachary McPherson told AAP.’Any one of our doctors here striking today could make 20 or 30 per cent more money just by simply moving to Brisbane or Melbourne.’ Mr Park agreed healthcare workers should be paid more, but challenged the ASMOF’s claims that patient care will not be impacted. ‘We don’t believe that patients and their families and other staff should be impacted by a three-day strike,’ he told ABC News on Tuesday. ‘We don’t think that is reasonable, neither does the independent umpire, but that’s a decision for the union.’ It is not yet clear how many doctors will strike though the unions have estimated up to 9,000 doctors will join the action (strike action at Westmead Hospital in Sydney is pictured) It marks the first time doctors in NSW have taken industrial action since 1998The ASMOF has issued assurances that public safety will not be compromised by the strike. ‘If you or your family need urgent medical care at any hospital across NSW, our doctors and medical staff will be there to provide it,’ ASMOF president Dr Nicholas Spooner said. ‘Emergency departments and critical care units will remain fully staffed.’ Mr Park acknowledged there was a ‘considerable’ pay gap between NSW and other states. But the health minister said it was not feasible to close a 30 per cent pay gap in one year.’This is not a union without options – it is inexplicable ASMOF would actively choose to jeopardise patient safety over resolving its claim in the IRC. I say to ASMOF, it is not too late to return to the IRC (Industrial Relations Commission),’ he said. The strike will continue until Thursday unless an agreement can be reached.
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