I came across a copy of this letter from 2006. It is addressed to the Adjutant of 4 Combat Service Support Battalion, and shows just how stupidly the ADF treats Medical Officers. In his letter, this reasonably senior doctor, who is a critical individual assett to the ADF from the moment he accepts a commission, is asking why he is appointed at the same level as a doctor who has just finished his or her internship.
Another point arising from this letter is that the doctor writing it isn't too fussed, and his behaviour supports the view that health care professionals don't have unrealistic expectations about their treatment in the ADF.
But the letter does show how poorly the senior medical leadership functions - doctors like Major General Paul Alexander, for example, who has just been awarded an AO for his outstanding efforts in ADF health.
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Dear Tim,
Can you please help or advise me how to progress the question of my rank. My last payslip indicates I am a level 1 Captain. All doctors join the Army as a Captain is what I was told when I was commissioned so I must've joined as a Level 1.
But I'm wondering how this is determined. I have 16 years of experience since graduation and I got my specialist qualifications as an Emergency Physician in 1999. Perhaps this wasn't appreciated when I joined up in 2004. I did show them the documentation and I can do so again if I need to. I certainly haven't given it any thought until a few recent comments made by others. But it does seem odd to me that a doctor with 16 years of experience (nearly 7 of them as a specialist) would join the Army at exactly the same level as a newly graduated doctor fresh out of his first year as an intern.
The same sorts of issues will apply to Julian Fidge I reckon.
I think you mentioned having contacts in APA who would know about this and we started discussing this question with you on the weekend at which time you invited me to email you. Are you able to enquire for me or at least point me in the right direction?
I can give you a little more information if its helpful - I graduated Monash Uni 1990, got my specialist qualifications with the Australasian College for Emergency Physicians in 1999. I work in the Austin Hospital Emergency Department as one of their staff specialists (the Austin is a large tertiary teaching hospital in Melbourne). I am MIMMS trained (Major Incident Medical Management and Support course) and have also done the MIMMS instructors course. My interest area is disaster medicine and planning (including NBC events) and I help coordinate my hospital's planning and training for mass casualty events. I don't know how much of this makes a difference but I figure you as the Adj might be interested anyway. I've got a wife, 3 young kids, a house, blah blah etc. (I don't think you get higher rank for having a wife and 3 young kids - but you should).
Anyway, it was good to meet you on the weekend Tim. I appreciated the little informal meeting you held and the interest you displayed. I'd not seen that done before from the Adj.
Kind regards,
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Don't forget the standard of care for an Australian soldier is to have a doctor trained in the emergency management of severe trauma flown to them when they are injured.
At the moment, our troops get a medic, because the senior leadership of the ADF either don't care about Australian troops, or are hopelessly incompetent. Either way, they need to be sacked, today.
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