Call for Health Minister Brad Hazzard to apologise over attack on doctors
The NSW shadow health minister has called for Brad Hazzard to apologise to whistleblowers at Northern Beaches Hospital, following a story in the Manly Daily where he blamed senior doctors for unnecessarily airing the hospital’s dirty laundry.
- Brad Hazzard tells doctors to ‘get on with the job’
- Medical Director steps down
- Second anaesthetist resigns
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard should apologise to doctors at Northern Beaches Hospital speaking out about patient safety, not attack them, according to the shadow health minister Walt Secord.
Mr Hazzard revealed to the Manly Daily that a group of senior doctors had been unnecessarily airing the hospital’s dirty laundry and should “get on with the job”.
It follows the resignations of two senior anaesthetists, with one believed to be blaming patient safety as a reason.
Since the hospital opened on October 30 CEO Deborah Latta has also resigned and Medical Director Louise Messara has stepped down from her role.
Staff and patients have also revealed a string of concerns about the hospital from lack of staff to a shortage of medical supplies.
Mr Secord said that instead of attacking medical staff, the Health Minister should be “supporting them, listening and fixing problems”.
He added that Mr Hazzard should be trying to improve patient care rather than “tormenting brave whistleblowers”.
“The Health Minister should apologise to the under pressure nurses, doctors and health and hospital workers at the Northern Beaches Hospital,” Mr Secord said.
“The Northern Beaches Hospital has lurched from crisis to crisis from the moment it opened.”
“Earlier this month the Premier and Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the problems at Northern Beaches Hospital were just teething problems and now they say that hard working staff are being negative.
“He should stop making excuses and take responsibility for the failed privatisation model.”
Since the Northern Beaches Hospital opened in October it has faced a litany of problems including a lack of basic medical supplies, inadequate staffing levels, cancellations of elective surgery and concerns by doctors and nurses that patient safety has been put at risk.
Earlier this month Mr Secord called on the Berejiklian Government to implement an independent external monitor to ensure patient safety.
Save Mona Vale Hospital chairman Parry Thomas said the situation had become a crisis.
“The government is in denial over what’s happening at Northern Beaches Hospital and to say it’s working fine when key medical staff are leaving in disgust shows our leaders have their heads in the sand,” Mr Parry said.
“No-one’s saying everyone who goes to the new hospital is being treated badly but the only reason is the incredibly hardworking and competent staff.”
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