The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) has been increasingly concerned about the significant gaps in the workforce across New South Wales over the past 18 months, and the impact that is having on the community. 

Psychiatrists care for people who need complex and acute treatment, and this needs to be delivered with consistency. RANZCP members have told us that being unable to do this adequately is unfair on their patients and impacts their own wellbeing. 

A significant number of psychiatrists have now resigned from their public service roles. These members say their decisions have been a last-resort response to their state’s workforce crisis. 

The RANZCP is here to support its members during this difficult situation, and we respect the decisions of the individual psychiatrists. We are mindful of the potential impacts on, and the anxiety amongst, our psychiatry trainees who rely on appropriate and skilled supervision. 

The RANZCP is not party to the Industrial Relations Commission action taken by the state government. Our activity over the past 18 months has been to proactively advocate for a sustainable and appropriately resourced public mental health system which ensures psychiatrists and trainees can deliver accessible, equitable care for all. 

We know that many of our members are working hard to support each other at this difficult time and the College is also encouraging members to access the free and confidential support offered through the RANZCP Member Support Program.