State Member for Wallsend, Ms Sonia Hornery MP, has called for urgent action to address the continuing trend of bullying in the Hunter New England Local Health District, following the release of the 2019 Alliance NSW Hospital Health Check.
The report showed that one in two junior doctors at John Hunter Hospital, and one in three junior doctors at the Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital, felt they had experienced bullying, harassment or discrimination by other staff members.
The report showed that 33 per cent of junior doctors felt unsafe at work, and 57 per cent of junior doctors said they believed they would suffer negative consequences if they reported bad behaviour.
The annual report showed little improvement from previous years and today Ms Hornery will move a Notice of Motion in the NSW Parliament calling on the Minister to eliminate the culture of bullying and intimidation in the Hunter New England Local Heath District.
Quotes attributable to Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery
“This report shows a worrying trend of bullying in our hospitals and the Hunter New England Local Health District.”
“Year after year the reports show levels of bullying and intimidation that are simply unacceptable, but the spin doctors from the Minister’s office and Department of Health will tell us that is false and they are not seeing any evidence of it in the system.”
“Staff that I have met with and spoken to have raised concerns about a longstanding culture of bullying and intimidation within Hunter New England Health.”
“Our junior doctors shouldn’t be placed under such crushing pressure. They just shouldn’t be working under such punishing conditions.”
“The Government must act as soon as possible. Patient safety is at risk here, as is the health and safety of a whole generation of doctors working in our health system.”
“We want our hospitals to be safe places for patients, doctors and health workers, but these reports paint a deeply concerning picture. Junior doctors and the public simply deserve better.”