Doctors slam $300,000 Sydney hospital workplace ‘culture review’

The NSW government has paid more than $300,000 to conduct a ‘workplace culture’ review into an embattled Sydney hospital, but staff want an independent investigation.

Concord Hospital in Sydney’s inner west, where a $300,000 workplace culture review is currently taking place.

A $300,000 “workplace culture” review at a Sydney hospital has been criticised by doctors and staff, who have demanded an independent investigation into allegations of a toxic management style, false data and a severe backlog of radiology scans.

In July, Concord Hospital staff revolted against the local health district’s chief executive, with a majority of the hospital’s senior medical staff voting in favour of a no-confidence motion against Teresa Anderson.

The NSW government announced it would intervene and has since paid consultant Pro­Active ReSolutions $304,000 to conduct a four-month “workplace culture” review.

A review is underway into an alleged toxic workplace culture at Concord Hospital. Picture: Monique Harmer

However, the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation of NSW has called the review a “missed opportunity to drive change”.

“We welcome the intervention of the minister, but we believe that an independent external investigation is warranted, not just a culture review,” ASMOF NSW president Tony Sara said.

“ASMOF and its members’ experience with internally commissioned reviews do not give us any comfort or confidence in the process.”

Concord Hospital staff, speaking on the condition of anonymity, echoed that concern, saying a review didn’t go far enough.

“It will answer to NSW Health – the lines of reporting won’t be independent,” one source said.

“It’s a cultural review as opposed to an investigation into the allegations.”

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park says the process would be comprehensive and open. Picture: Adam Yip

However, a NSW Health spokeswoman said ProActive Resolutions would conduct a “two-stage” review into the alleged toxic culture at Concord.

“ProActive ReSolutions have met with more than 60 people at Concord, and hope to finalise phase one meetings this week and next week,” she said.

She added that the firm had the “appropriate skills and experience”.

“They are in the process of designing actions for phase two to demonstrate tangible changes that need to be introduced at Concord to generate improvement for all involved.”

The firm would then meet with the health secretary and minister in the next two weeks to provide an update, as well as provide a “safe environment” where concerns could be raised.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park made it clear he wanted a comprehensive exploration of the issues and allegations raised.

ASMOF’s Tony Sara says the review didn’t go far enough. Picture: Gaye Gerard

“NSW Health has established an independent process to resolve the issues raised by staff at Concord Hospital – this process must be allowed to run its course,” he said.

“We should always work towards facilitating a more positive workplace that allows staff to … deliver the best possible healthcare to our community.”

A Sydney LHD spokesman said the district and board were “fully committed to the process”.

“An independent process has been established by the Health Ministry to support employees at Concord Hospital by identifying actions to address issues raised and improve their overall workplace experience,’ he said, adding meetings had been facilitated between members of the hospital’s medical council and the LHD board.

The review is expected to conclude and report its findings to NSW Health in mid-November.