Tasmania Health crisis: Government sacks key critic of Royal Hobart Hospital, ALP says

A senior clinician who has criticised the Government’s handling of the health crisis has been told his job is being abolished.

A STRIDENT critic of the Government’s performance during the health crisis has been told his job at the Royal Hobart Hospital is being abolished.

Australian Medical Association Tasmania president John Burgess wrote a Talking Point about the health crisis earlier this week, noting that “the fish rots from the head”.

Labor leader Rebecca White told parliament Professor Burgess was soon after told his role in the public health system was to be axed.

AMA Tasmania president John Burgess.

“He could never have predicted that your government’s response to this crisis would be so panicked reactionary and vindictive,” Ms White said.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney said a restructure was under way at the hospital.

Sarah Courtney

“The Director of Operations at the Royal Hobart Hospital earlier this week released a change of proposal to streamline internal medical management positions at the hospital,” she said.

“This proposal will put the emergency department and general medical in the same management stream, local leadership considered this is important to working to address bed block and ramping.

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“As we know the ED is facing challenges with regards to bed block, but it is patient flow throughout the hospital which is going to drive the long-term change that’s needed.”

Labor leader Rebecca White. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

In a letter to colleagues, Prof Burgess said news of his imminent removal was unexpected.

“From my perspective, I was called to an impromptu meeting at 11am yesterday and notified verbally by [health bureaucrat] Susan Gannon of a change proposal to disband the Critical Care, Clinical Support and Investigations Stream and leadership team,” he said.

“I was not, and as yet have not, been provided with written documentation or compelling explanation.”

“I gather that the THS Executive were not involved or consulted.

“Other senior clinicians and Stream Directors at the RHH appear not to have been involved in developing this proposal.

“Many colleagues have contacted Trish and I to offer their support and express their surprise and dismay at the process, lack of transparency and lack of demonstrated rationale surrounding the proposal to break up our Stream and its leadership team.”

Prof Burgess said he would not be silenced.

“I will naturally continue to speak up for our patients, staff and the teams who care for them, notwithstanding this having personal costs.”