MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan says patients are the ones who will suffer from a mass resignation of psychiatrists from across New South Wales.

More than 200 of the state’s 260 psychiatrists, including 11 from Hunter New England Health, are preparing to walk off the job from January 21 amid a pay dispute with the NSW Government.

Psychiatrists in NSW are currently the lowest paid in Australia.

Mr Moylan said the industrial unrest will have the biggest impact on patients in the bush.

“Access to critical mental health care in regional NSW is already hard enough and the loss of specialists will be incredibly damaging for people who rely on these services,” Mr Moylan said.

“We know people from regional and rural areas are particularly vulnerable and the loss of these services will put them further at risk.

“The Minns Labor Government needs to sit down with their psychiatrists and resolve this problem as soon as possible.

“There will be a middle ground here, they just need to work hard to find it.

“Otherwise, it will be the patients, particularly in regional areas, who will suffer.”

Meanwhile, NSW Health will continue to keep the community informed of potential impacts to health services.

If someone has attempted or is at immediate risk of attempting to harm themselves or someone else call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

In addition to mental health care services, if someone is experiencing mental health distress, or you are worried about your own or someone else’s mental health, you can contact the mental health line on 1800 011511 for advice and connection to specialist mental health services as well as the Transcultural Mental Health Line on 1800 648911, Monday to Friday, 9am – 4.30pm).

Telephone support is available through the following services:

Lifeline (24/7) crisis support: 13 11 14;

Beyond Blue (24/7) for mental health advice and support: 1300 224636; and

Kids Helpline (24/7) support for children or young adults: 1800 551800.

If you or someone you know needs general mental health support, use NSW Health’s mental health service finder to find the right care: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/…/support-contact-list.aspx