Psychiatrist resignations at Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred hospital have resulted in the closure of an HIV psychiatry clinic, affecting approximately 200 patients. In addition, specialist psychiatric services for patients in the pain clinic and those with severe eating disorders have been impacted. Dr. Suzanna Goodison, a former psychiatrist at the hospital, states that patients with HIV are at a higher risk due to the psychosocial aspects of being part of a marginalized community, as well as the cognitive changes caused by the virus itself. John Rule, Director of Research at the National Association of People with HIV Australia, emphasizes that people living with HIV have higher rates of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, making the loss of these services particularly significant. Furthermore, the resignation of psychiatrists has resulted in the closure of several other specialized psychiatric services, including consultation liaison services for eating disorder patients, renal, renal transplant, and rheumatology outpatient clinics, as well as a pain clinic. The psychiatrists’ resignations have been attributed to their feeling of moral injury, as they believe that public psychiatry has shifted its focus from providing care based on clinical assessment and need to risk management. Sydney Local Health District assures that clinical care is delivered based on priority and that services are still available for individuals experiencing mental health distress or concerns. Arbitration between NSW Health and the Australian Salaried Medical Officers (Asmof) is taking place to address the issue of specialist doctors leaving the public system, with Asmof seeking a special levy to increase staff psychiatrists’ pay by 25%.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/02/rpa-hospital-closes-hiv-psychiatry-clinic-with-200-patients-after-staff-resignations