Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett has put the health minister on notice over a shocking report that reveals a culture of fear, bullying and discrimination at the Bundaberg Hospital.
The 2023 Resident Hospital Health Check surveyed young doctors with 100 per cent of respondents recording they were concerned about the consequences of reporting bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment.
The report also revealed no respondents felt “reported incidents were appropriately addressed” and only 33 per cent reported they felt “there was anything they could do about it”.
Burnett MP Stephen Bennett tabled a Question on Notice to the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman in Queensland Parliament this morning.
A recent review of Junior Doctors in the Queensland Health System by the Australian Medical Association Queensland revealed that 100% of Bundaberg Hospital Junior Doctors were concerned that there might be negative consequences for reporting bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment. Will The Minister undertake to review whether a culture of bullying and intimidation is present within Bundaberg Hospital management?
Mr Bennett said Minister Fentiman should be ashamed of the report card.
“Bundaberg Hospital received an overall report of ‘C’ for bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment,” said Mr Bennett.
“That is unacceptably high and utterly disgraceful.
“For years I have spoken on behalf of doctors and nurses who have approached me anonymously to share serious concerns regarding the toxic culture that permeates the Bundaberg Hospital.
“The cover-ups and secrecy are a sickness that runs deep in the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service.
“It’s been outlined time and time again including in last year’s Clinical Review and Health Service Investigation that led to 39 recommendations around workplace culture, governance, management, and administration.
“Yet the State Labor Government has consistently refused to admit there’s a problem.
“The WBHHS needs a total overhaul with a serious, sustained and systematic commitment to ensure an environment that promotes safety across all aspects of the workplace.”
The report revealed more than two-thirds of respondents at the hospital were concerned about making a clinical error due to fatigue caused by hours worked.
One in five doctors worked up to or more than 90 hours total per fortnight.
Mr Bennett said chronic understaffing means junior doctors are working significant amounts of overtime.
“Our health staff are being run off their feet, working double shifts just to keep hospitals running,” he said.
“They’re on the frontline of the health crisis but are getting no support from the Palaszczuk Labor Government who refuse to accept there’s a problem.
“The LNP has the Right Priorities for Queensland including delivering easier access to health services, driving down ambulance ramping, empowering local decision makers, providing more healthcare professionals through retention and attraction, building hospitals on time and on budget, improving hospital performance through real-time data and re-opening maternity services in regional Queensland.
“Bundaberg and the Burnett deserves better.”
Source: 2023_Resident Hospital Health Check FINAL.pdf (ama.com.au)
ENDS.
17/11/2023