Mackay Base Hospital doctors report unsafe workplace in new report

Almost a quarter of under-siege Mackay Base Hospital junior doctors say they are fatigued, have experienced bullying in the workplace or not been paid for overtime, a new report has revealed.

Almost a quarter of Mackay Base Hospital junior doctors are fatigued from long hours and feel unsafe at work, with calls for change across the wider health system.

The annual Australian Medical Association Queensland’s 2021 Resident Hospital Health Check report found while MBH recorded better than average results in several key areas, its junior doctors raised several concerns.

The report, which surveyed 808 interns across Queensland, reported 23 per cent of MBH junior doctors cited fatigue from working excessively long hours as a significant concern, compared to a statewide average of 51 per cent.

The number of MBH doctors who responded to the survey was not disclosed.

“Twenty-three per cent of survey respondents from Mackay Base Hospital also told us they had felt unsafe at work this year, compared to an average of 30 per cent across Queensland,” AMAQ Council of Doctors in Training co-chair Dr Robert Nayer said.

“Twenty-four per cent of trainee doctors surveyed in Mackay said they had not been paid for all the overtime they claimed, 21 per cent were advised not to claim additional hours and a quarter did not claim overtime for fear it could negatively affect their assessment.

“Those results were reasonably consistent, or slightly better, than the state average and there’s obviously room for improvement.”

It comes as MBH faces an external review into its obstetrics and gynaecology units.

CDT co-chair Dr Natasha Abeysekera said 31 per cent of surveyed MBH junior doctors reported they were targets of bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment which was identified as a problem in Queensland’s public hospitals.

“Twenty-eight per cent said they had witnessed bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment at work, just 29 per cent said they had reported the incident and of those, only 23 per cent said they felt the matter had been appropriately addressed,” Dr Abeysekera said.

“Worryingly, 65 per cent of respondents from Mackay were concerned that there might be negative consequences for reporting.”

Mackay Hospital and Health Service Research and Innovation executive director Dr David Farlow said about 70 per cent of junior house officers had opted to return in 2022 as principal house officers.

“About 50 per cent of our interns have also asked to stay in Mackay HHS,” Clinical Dean Dr Farlow said.

“Mackay HHS has 240 junior doctors ranging from interns to Principal House Officers and we regularly survey them to assess their working conditions.

“Our Medical Education Unit works hard to support junior doctors and we are pleased to see satisfaction rates are improving from year to year.

“We check in with junior doctors five times a year to gauge their satisfaction and issues raised are managed directly with the clinical unit for resolution.

“We also run a Junior Medical Officers Forum every six weeks where junior doctors can raise issues directly with executive leadership team.”

Dr Farlow said MHHS junior doctors also participated in the Wellbeing at Work program designed to improve mental health and workplace safety.

“Of course, there is always more work to do which is why we regularly ask our junior doctors to suggest areas for improvement,” he said.

“Fatigue management is important in the healthcare setting and the health service does have a forum where this is discussed.

“Clinical staff are provided with education and resources to help manage their fatigue and are advised on the process to raise any concerns they have with their manager.

“Overtime is paid but must be approved in advance.”