THE state’s doctors union warns the Mount Gambier Hospital is still grappling with a string of workforce “spot fires” despite a review seven months ago calling for its overhaul.
South Australian Salaried Medical Officers Association (SASMOA) – representing medical officers at Mount Gambier – has revealed only nine of the 22 recommendations handed down in the review have been completed.
These fresh claims come just days after new Health Minister Peter Malinauskas toured the hospital for the first time.
According to the union, there continues to be a shortage of nurses and doctors across the hospital and staff in the emergency department are “stressed”.
In particular, the key union claims the hospital is “not safe” after hours due to the lack of senior doctors in the emergency department and the wards.
Revelations have also emerged the doctors union has also been called in regarding a number of alleged “downward and upward” bullying claims at the hospital.
The union claims these alleged bullying incidents were a symptom of a system “under stress”.
SASMOA principal industrial relations advisor Michele Evans said a number of issues had “flared up” at the hospital according to its members.
“There are no consultants overnight (only on call) in the hospital – junior doctors are responsible for the whole hospital after hours, which I believe is not safe,” Ms Evans said.
She said the hospital was also having difficulty retaining and recruiting senior doctors.
A recent example was emergency department clinical director Dr Hiren Chotaliya, who has resigned from the prominent role.
“The majority of the issues as the medical officers and nurses view them relate to lack of staffing across both professions,” Ms Evans told The Border Watch yesterday.
She said the mental health ward, paediatrics and emergency department were the main areas of concern for medical officers.
“Emergency department staff are particularly stressed,” Mr Evans revealed.
“Doctors are also telling us there is no leadership at the hospital, with the current management ineffective.”
Meanwhile, the industrial officer also questioned why the review into the paediatric service remained in limbo.
“The paediatric service was the most recent issue that SASMOA escalated at the SA Employment Tribunal,” Ms Evans said.
“The employer (Country Health SA) stated they would initiate an independent review of this service with a consultant doctor from Flinders Medical Centre to conduct it.
“This has not yet commenced, however a commitment was given on September 6 at an employment tribunal conference.”
Ms Evans also revealed the union was also working through a number of bullying claims.
“These claims show staff are trying to do too much and are under pressure,” she said.
Regarding Mr Malinauskas’ visit on Tuesday, Ms Evans hoped the minister spoke with medical staff, not just CHSA executives.
“The new minister needs to talk to staff to find out how strained the system is,” she said.
