OFFER TO DENTISTS FROM HEALTH 17 July 2007

News Flash

RESPONSE TO DENTISTS FROM DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

The Public Service Association (PSA) General Secretary Jan McMahon meet with officials from Department of Health (DH) on Tuesday 17 July 2007 at 3.15pm. Acting Assistant Chief Industrial Officer Ian Peak, Senior Industrial Officer Simon Johnston and PSA Dental Officer representatives Dr Andrew Chartier and Dr Eleanor Owen, (vice Dr Pat Collette) also attended. From DH were Patrick Smith and Sue Stack, and Joe Busuttil and Dr Martin Dooland from CNAHS.

This meeting was in response to Commissioner Doyle's Recommendation 2:

“DH will make a substantive response to the PSA in respect of its claim which addresses remuneration and retention issues within SADS”.

At today's meeting, DH offered public dentists an additional one-off allowance of 10%. Such an allowance will only provide a $5,000 increase per annum to graduate dentists within the public dental service, which clearly does not address identified recruitment barriers.

The PSA response was that this was unacceptable and asked the DH representative to go back and reconsider. This meagre offer would not address the recruitment and retention issues in the South Australian Dental Service and would compromise its viability.

Members will shortly be advised of the latest developments, including notification of the next PSA Dental Officer's meeting.

If you have any queries please contact Ian D Peak, Acting Assistant Chief Industrial Officer on 8205 3200 or ian@cpsu.asn.au

PSA WORKING FOR DENTAL HEALTH

17 July 2007