Doctors’ early resignations spark drastic NT Health letter warning of 12-month ban for others who follow

A letter sent out by NT Health has provoked a furious backlash both inside and out of the overstretched Royal Darwin Hospital, with one parent saying he fears for their daughter’s life.

UPDATED SATURDAY: A LETTER sent out by NT Health on Friday afternoon has provoked a furious backlash both inside and out of the overstretched Royal Darwin Hospital.

The Sunday Territorian has spoken to the parents of one doctor, who have said they fear for their daughter’s life because of the pressure she is put under while working.

It follows a letter sent out by Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospitals medical services acting deputy director Dr Colin Feekery, who said the resignation of three junior doctors could “have a serious impact on patient safety”.

A 12-month ban from employment with NT Health will now apply to any doctor who resigns before their contract.

The concerned father, who wanted to only be known as Stephen to protect the identity of his daughter, said the letter had infuriated those working on the frontline.

Stephen said it was little wonder many doctors, some of whom were working 16-hour shifts, had chosen to leave their NT jobs early rather than risk their careers.

Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) has been under serious strain in recent months.

“These are genuinely charitable and loving individuals who are just being treated like absolute crap by NT Health,” Stephen said.

“These poor kids, it’s not like it hasn’t happened previously.”

Stephen said he had expressed concern about the work being placed on his daughter.

“I fear for her life.”

It’s understood Dr Feekery’s letter has been poorly received by staff at the RDH.

The letter, sent out on Friday afternoon, urged any doctors considering leaving early to contemplate the “burden you put on your colleagues who stay the distance and the safety of the patients you leave behind”.

It said three recent departures could have a “serious impact on patient safety”.

NT Health was contacted for comment.

On Friday night, a departmental spokeswoman denied the departures had endangered patient safety.

“At no time is patient safety and quality impacted and all efforts are made to ensure staff do fulfil their contractual arrangements,” the spokeswoman said.

“We acknowledge there are occasions where a staff member may be unable to fulfil their contract.”

Royal Darwin Hospital was in a 24-hour Code Yellow on Wednesday.

EARLIER - FRIDAY: THE premature departure of three junior doctors from the Royal Darwin Hospital has led to an extraordinary letter being sent out, warning that other doctors who leave prematurely will face a 12-month ban from being employed by NT Health if they do the same.

The letter, written by the Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospitals medical services acting deputy director Dr Colin Feekery, said the recent departures “could have a serious impact on patient safety”.

“If you are considering resigning early, I ask that you take into account the burden you put on your colleagues who stay the distance and the safety of the patients you leave behind,” Dr Feekery wrote.

The Royal Darwin and Palmerston Hospitals have been under strain in recent days. Picture: Che Chorley

He further continues: “I have instructed our Medical Services Unit and our locum recruitment service, that if a doctor fails to complete a contract, this is to be recorded on their Human Resource file; and they are not to be re-employed for a 12-month period from their completion date”.

Exemptions would apply on compassionate grounds.

Dr Feekery ends the letter by thanking remaining doctors who stay on board for their “sterling work”.

The letter comes the day after NT Health closed a third of the Palmerston Regional Hospital’s 24 emergency department beds.

The closure, expected to last for up to a month, was done so the Royal Darwin could resume non-essential surgeries.

In a statement, a spokeswoman for NT Health denied there was any risk to patient safety from recent departures.

“NT Health recognises the great work of our junior medical officers and the contribution they make across our health system,” the spokeswoman said.

“At no time is patient safety and quality impacted and all efforts are made to ensure staff do fulfil their contractual arrangements.

“We acknowledge there are occasions where a staff member may be unable to fulfil their contract.”