An independent review into the training of new doctors at the Canberra Hospital has confirmed a culture accepting of bullying, discrimination and harassment.
The ACT Government has accepted all seven recommendations from the review, including mandatory leadership training for all senior clinicians.
Health Minister Simon Corbell said it was deeply disappointing to find bullying, inappropriate interpersonal relationships and emotional intimidation had been allowed to persist for so long.
“Even more concerning is that these behaviours were prolonged and normalised, and that some junior staff feel they are not sufficiently empowered to speak up, nor that there were appropriate mechanisms in place for them to do so,” he said.
But he said similar results had been found in hospitals across the country.
“These are recognition that what we are dealing with is embedded culture that has built up over many decades,” he said.
“It’s not going to be fixed in a three or six-month process. But what will fix it is empowering our senior clinicians to be better leaders, better managers and better role models.”
‘Sigh of relief’ across organisation
ACT Health’s director-general, Nicole Feely, said she expected Canberra’s junior doctors would “breathe a sigh of relief”, over efforts to tackle a culture of bullying and harassment.
Dr Feely said senior doctors will be forced to go through leadership and management training.
“I think the fact that today we’re actually announcing this type of reform across a health service is exactly what the junior doctors want to hear,” she said.
“I think there’ll be a sigh of relief across the organisation.”
Dr Feely ordered the review, which was conducted by KPMG, earlier this year.
The recommendations adopted by ACT Government included further detailed analysis of the areas noted by the review as having a culture that accepted or condones bullying, discrimination and harassment, developing a statement for the desired culture for success, changes to reward, performance and induction procedures and mandatory leadership and management training.
A review of reporting requirements for bullying and a strengthening of policy statements to clarify the consequences for unacceptable behaviour will also be looked at.
As part of the adoption of the recommendations, the ACT Government will implement a leadership group of clinical staff to help lead the transformation, which will report directly to the Health Minister.
Mr Corbell said he would personally be overseeing the changes to ensure the teaching reputation of the hospital was re-established and the wellbeing of clinical staff was protected.
“That ends today. I will be driving changes,” he said.