Workplace culture, theatre bungle as Buderim Private Hospital’s allegations grow

From claims of theatre bungles to a troubling workplace culture, the alleged failings of a private hospital on the Sunshine Coast have been laid bare in recent months as multiple staff members come forward.

Sunshine Coast Buderim Private Hospital.

From claims of theatre bungles to a troubling workplace culture, the alleged failings of a private hospital on the Sunshine Coast have been laid bare in recent months as more staff members come forward.

The string of concerning claims come months after a former staff member spoke out in July about the hospital’s overlapping theatre practice.

The practice, criticised by multiple staff members who have spoken to this publication, led to an incident in July this year where two patients were anaesthetised without the surgeon on the hospital premises.

The hospital is owned and operated by the provider UnitingCare.

According to the latest staff member to speak out, the hospital did not have a policy in place regarding the overlapping running of two operating theatres when the incident took place in July this year.

They also claimed that while multiple staff members at the hospital raised concerns, the culture within the private health provider meant many were deterred from speaking up.

“If you speak up for safety, which you’re meant to do as part of your professionalism as a nurse, you get belittled, you get treated badly and you don’t get listened to,” they said.

“If you speak up your career is pretty well done.”

Sunshine Coast Buderim Private Hospital.

Last month this publication saw a leaked notice from the hospital to staff members, which listed 13 improvement measures set to be implemented in the wake of the July incident.

Most recently, a separate leaked email to staff stated UnitingCare managers visit the hospital to allow staff to raise concerns if they felt unable to do so with onsite management.

“The cultural concerns regarding the ability to speak up for patient safety that were raised in the media anonymously this week are, given their nature, of concern to BPH management and UnitingCare,” the notice stated.

“We would like to offer you an opportunity to discuss what is working well, what could be improved, and importantly any unresolved/historic or yet to be raised concerns with members of the Executive team.

“To facilitate this, we will be available on-site next Monday and Tuesday to meet with any staff member who wishes to speak with us.”

When asked what the hospital was doing to address the concerns raised by staff, UnitingCare said they fostered a “transparent” culture.

“Ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of our patients and hardworking staff is our number one priority,” they said.

“Buderim Private Hospital maintains a robust program of continuous improvement across all clinical areas, and regularly makes changes and improvements in line with internationally recognised best-practice.

“In addition to our program of continuous improvement, we foster an open and transparent ‘speak up’ culture, where all members of the Buderim Private Hospital community are regularly and actively encouraged to escalate any safety or practice concerns for swift review and assessment.”