Soviet style health inquiry
THE Government has launched an urgent investigation over major concerns about "Soviet style" patient handling at Royal North Shore Hospital.
THE Government has launched an urgent investigation into management at Royal North Shore Hospital amid claims of endemic bullying among nurses and major concerns about "Soviet style" patient handling.
The revelation comes as it emerged a health scare at another medical centre caused a rehabilitation unit to be shut and contributed to the meltdown at RNSH this week, which caused delays of up to five hours for patients in emergency.
There are currently at least two official staff grievance processes under way and The Daily Telegraph has learned of at least 10 more over the past 12 months.
Hospital insiders say there has long been a culture of bullying among nurse management at the hospital, causing one of the highest grievance levels in the health system and resulting in a massive turnover of staff.
"It's just like the army. It's really Soviet style," one staffer said.
The director of nursing also resigned recently which an insider said was part of an effort to inject new blood into the system, however this could not be confirmed.
One source said male nurses and anyone who didn't "fit in" were the most common targets of bullying.
Health Minister Reba Meagher has told the new head of the Northern Sydney Health Service to conduct an audit of management practices at the hospital.
"I have requested an immediate audit of management procedures at Royal North Shore Hospital to be conducted by new chief executive Terry Clout," Ms Meagher said.
"As part of this review, Mr Clout will consult with staff, clinicians and unions in a bid to improve performance at the hospital."
A Government source said there would be significant overhaul: "We're going to take a broom through it."
Mr Clout also signalled a major crackdown at the hospital.
"Bullying in the workplace is unacceptable and will not be tolerated," he said.
"I am advised there are two grievances about bullying lodged against senior nurse managers. One has been investigated and investigation into the other is continuing."
As well as the bullying claims there are also questions about other management practices.
One staffer said it was common for wards to play "pass the parcel" with elderly emergency patients with complex conditions while at the other end some patients were made to wait up to 24 hours longer than necessary before being discharged.
Apart from the bullying, another 40 complaints on other issues have been raised with management.
The Daily Telegraph can also reveal that a contributing factor to Monday's emergency meltdown was the transfer of several patients from the Royal Rehabilitation Centre in Ryde, which was struck by a gastro outbreak.