The college responsible for training psychiatrists in Victoria is concerned its trainees are being overworked in an under-resourced and increasingly violent mental health system.
One day after Fairfax Media revealed that three training psychiatrists had died unexpectedly in recent weeks, the Victorian chair of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, David Castle, said the college had consistently reported concerns about the workload of trainees to the state government in recent years.
As recently as November, the college issued a statement calling for the government to address a lack of funding to replace staff on leave and to provide adequate training. It also complained about increasing violence against staff and the impact of budget tightening on service provision.
On Tuesday, Professor Castle said although he could not comment on the nature of the recent deaths, the college was concerned about a range of factors contributing to increasingly stressful work conditions for trainees, including more patients affected by ice and a lack of funding to cover leave.
“That puts a lot of extra pressure on the registrars that are left behind. Then we start a vicious cycle of extra stress, sick leave and even more pressure and stress,” he said.
“The leave cover issue remains and it is across the board. I think it is something that would need to be funded specifically if it is to be addressed because certainly no mental health service is in a position to have free cash to pay for leave cover.”
Professor Castle also backed the concerns of other doctors who on Monday said changes to the Mental Health Act in Victoria last year had increased paperwork and court appearances for psychiatrists, including trainees.
A spokesperson for Mental Health Minister Martin Foley said he had requested advice from the department on the issues and concerns raised by the college.
“My deepest sympathies go to the families who have suffered a loss. I would encourage any friends or colleagues in the workplace who are in distress to seek professional help,” he said.
However, on Monday, Mr Foley declined to comment on whether he would investigate the sudden deaths of four training doctors in recent weeks. One of the four was a general medical intern at Geelong Hospital.
While it is unclear how they died, chairman of the doctors’ mental health program at beyondblue, Mukesh Haikerwal, described the deaths as a “crisis” that should be carefully investigated.
In 2013, a landmark study of more than 14,000 Australian doctors and medical students by beyondblue reported about one of four had experienced suicidal thoughts, and that 2 per cent had attempted suicide.
It also found that 37 per cent were too embarrassed to seek treatment for mental health problems and that 40 per cent felt doctors with a history of mental health disorders were perceived as less competent by their peers.
President of the Victorian branch of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Tony Bartone, said any doctor in need of support could contact the AMA Victoria’s Peer Support Service (1300 853 338) or the Victorian Doctors’ Health Program ( 03 9494 6011).