Junior doctors threaten strike action in NSW

2 minute read


What started out as ‘Marshmallowgate’ is fast becoming a big problem for NSW Health.


Junior doctors in NSW are threatening to walk off the job over what they say are “hazardous workplace conditions”.

And they will stage a rally tomorrow in Newcastle to demand safer workplaces, after an admin grumble gone awry caused uproar.

Last week, correspondence inadvertently sent to a junior doctor by hospital administration staff at Newcastle’s John Hunter Hospital was circulated online, supposedly in response to a request related to rostering.

The email touted concern over a future workforce of “clinical marshmellows [sic]”.

Hunter New England LHD apologised to its junior doctors for “the hurt and frustration” caused by the email.

The Australian Salaried Medical Officers’ Federation NSW called out the email for being “tone-deaf” and reflective of a toxic workplace culture.

This story first appeared on Health Services Daily. Sign up for your discounted GP subscription here.

But what has been dubbed “Marshmallowgate” is fast becoming a major headache for NSW Health, said ASMOF NSW Industrial Services office Ian Lisser.

“Since the email was shared, thousands of doctors across NSW have embraced the marshmallow moniker and offered their solidarity by bringing marshmallows to work,” he said.

“It’s gone crazy. I mean, we’re getting inundated with calls. I’ve not seen anything like it,  actually, it’s just gone ballistic.

“Junior doctors are now saying enough is enough, calling on the Premier to immediately put an end to toxic culture and address the systemic issues forcing doctors to work excessive hours in unsafe conditions.”

He told The Medical Republic sister site Health Services Daily the junior doctors were “considering strike action due to the escalating tensions”.

The union has called on doctors to rally at 11am tomorrow at the main entrance of the Royal Newcastle Centre “to stand with NSW Doctors and their demand for a safe workplace”, Mr Lisser said in LinkedIn post.

“Junior doctors, aka clinical marshmallows, are saying enough is enough,” said Mr Lisser.

“They’ve had it with the Minns Labor government and how it treats healthcare workers.”

Mr Lisser told HSD the issue was gathering international attention, despite NSW Health’s attempts to hose it down.

“Every time NSW Health try to hose something down, they hose it down with petrol,” he said.

“It’s gone right throughout NSW and also internationally, and interstate and internationally.

“There were even some doctors in England and Scotland doing Tiktok videos on it.”

End of content

No more pages to load

Log In Register ×