Page104 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 2 December 2020
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For many of our junior doctors still in training, there is yet another responsibility that the government must recognise—that is, that they are demonstrating how they treat these entry-level member staff as employees and how they value them. They are setting up expectations of behaviour.
We have too few staff in our health system for them to be burnt out and exhausted. Because we have too few staff, the cycle of burnout and exhaustion continues. It is a double-edged sword. It is a matter of respect, of duty of care and of occupational health and safety. It is not only a matter of safety for staff but also a matter of safety for those who enter our public health system seeking treatment.
It is not difficult to see that if a person has flown in an aeroplane for 150 hours a fortnight, or a crane operator on a building site has operated a crane for 150 hours a fortnight, we would consider that to be a dangerous thing. It should be no different for those administering medications, operating or assisting in surgery, or dealing with the many life and death situations arising every day in our hospital system. In fact, it is not different. It is just that this government does not seem to be able to manage or solve these problems.
The Canberra Times found earlier this year that the Medical Board of Australia’s first national training survey of almost 10,000 doctors found that ACT doctors had the worst workplace experience of any state or territory. According to analysis undertaken by the ABC, the roster audit included in this review, in the January released and February released review, found several legal breaches.
After speaking to staff, the reviewers audited rosters and found that enterprise agreement and safe working hours were often breached. Trainees reported feeling pressured to work even when unwell, with the review finding the sick relief roster was not adequately staffed. Brutal hours often left trainee doctors little time to prepare for exams, with some trainees at Calvary Hospital saying they had been forced to work 150 hours a fortnight.
Several trainees reported regularly working a roster that comprised 12 consecutive days on and two days off, followed by a further 12 consecutive days. One of the two days was often utilised to sit a trial examination, the review said. The reviewers reported several concerning stories about coercion to come to work, despite requesting sick leave. They were told that the system is desperate, the reviewer said.
Two-thirds of trainee doctors consequently reported feeling down, depressed or hopeless several days a fortnight. The relevant enterprise agreement is the ACT Public Sector Medical Practitioners Enterprise Agreement 2017-2021. I take note of section 19, “Rostering Practice for Medical Officers”, and in particular the following clauses:
19.3 A minimum 9 hour break between shifts including travel time (fatigue leave) or 10 hours where practicable shall be rostered.
19.6 The parties agree to undertake further investigations (with a view to creation of additional positions) if Medical Officers are regularly expected to work without a break.
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