Gold Coast hospitals graded D- by junior doctors saying they are overworked

Gold Coast Health has been rated the worst in the state for overworking and under servicing junior doctors, with over half reporting to have been harassed or experienced discrimination.

MORE than half of Gold Coast junior doctors claim to be victims of workplace bullying and do so much overtime they fear stuff ups caused by fatigue.

Of new medical recruits at Gold Coast Universty and Robina hospitals, 55 per cent claim to be victims of bullying, discrimination or harassment.

They are also suffering in silence, with 70 per cent of those victims — quizzed in a Resident Hospital Health Check survey — reporting feeling helpless to address such issues.

GOLD COAST DOCTOR APPLIES FOR CONTROVERSIAL MEDEVAC PANEL

An AMA survey found the Gold Coast to be the worst in the state for junior doctor conditions. Picture Glenn Hampson

Just 43 per cent felt reported incidents were dealt with appropriately, recent survey results show in a report by Queensland’s branch of the Australian Medical Association (QAMA).

The gloomy picture resulted in a D-minus rating overall for the Gold Coast Hospital Health Service down from a C-plus in 2017.

OTHER NEWS:

Doors shut on two Coast eateries

Gold Coast’s 50 cutest cats

Luxury car-maker quits Gold Coast

The D-minus was the lowest statewide.

Of Gold Coast junior doctors reporting bullying, discrimination or harassment, 40 per cent of incidents were said to have been perpetrated by senior medical officers or consultants.

MEET COAST’S NEWEST MIDWIVES AND NURSES

Over 50 per cent of junior Gold Coast doctors said they experienced harassment or discrimination.

A total of 36 per cent of cases were sparked by other resident or junior doctors.

In other startling Gold Coast junior doctor results:

— 62 per cent felt concerned about making a clinical error due to fatigue caused by hours worked;

— 74 per cent were concerned about negative consequences if they reported;

— 43 per cent were advised not to claim overtime and 57 per cent were concerned claiming overtime would affect assessment;

— a quarter claimed to have worked more than 90 hours overtime in a month.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY REMEMBER LISA DAVEY

More than 40 per cent of junior doctors working in the Gold Coast health area say they were advised not to claim overtime. Pic: Destination Gold Coast

The poor Check score has this month sparked the Gold Coast Medical Association (GCMA) to call for urgent changes and more reporting of overtime.

A GCMA meeting late last week confirmed it will spearhead the issue and seek further support for the next medical generation.

The QAMA November report surveyed junior doctors, interns and junior house officers.

The GCMA believes bottlenecks into speciality training has left juniors with little bargaining power to change conditions.

PREVENTABLE ISSUES CLOGGING UP GOLD COAST HOSPITALS

Gold Coast Health has an action plan to review workforce numbers, professional development and fatigue management.

“We certainly want to highlight junior doctors are in a situation where they have to accept what they are handed for fear of progression being stunted,” GCMA president Professor Philip Morris said.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN — JUST $1 FOR THE FIRST 28 DAYS

Each year thousands of medical graduates compete for a limited number of speciality positions, leaving juniors in limbo at hospitals for up to seven years in some cases.

“We don’t want to have doctors leaving the profession because there are too many in the system and they can’t get the training,” Prof Morris said.

Gold Coast Health has an action plan to review workforce numbers, professional development and fatigue management. A new Junior Doctor leadership group meets monthly with top clinicians.

“Junior Doctor wellness is an absolute priority for Gold Coast Health and the 2018 AMAQ Resident Doctor Health Check results emphasised opportunities for more improvement,” a GC Health spokesman said.

Additional support staff have also recruited into the medical education unit.

Gold Coast results for the AMA Queensland 2018 Resident Hospital Health Check

Access to annual leave — E

Career progression development — D

House of work and overtime — E+

Wellbeing and culture — D+

Bulling, discrimination an sexual harassment — D-

Overall grade — D-

50% satisfied their preferences for leave were taken into consideration.

26% were satisfied with the research and audit opportunities.

26 % worked greater than 90 hours overtime.

43 % say there were advised not to claim overtime.

62 % said they were concerned about making a clinical error due to fatigue.

55% personally experienced bullying, discrimination or harassment.

74% felt concerned that there might be negative consequences for reporting.

71% felt hospital facilities are very good or excellent.