A SURVEY by the Australian Medical Association has given the Western NSW Local Health District (LHD) a damning evaluation in staff engagement, with more than half of doctors saying they did not trust management.
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The first annual AMA/Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation Senior Hospital Doctor Engagement Survey evaluated 1252 medical professionals across NSW, 5 per cent of them from the Western LHD.
The LHD and the St Vincents Health Network each recorded a more negative response than the average across seven categories.
Seventy-three per cent did not agree leadership and decision making was strong, 59 per cent did not believe management could be trusted to say things as they were, 44 per cent did not feel motivated to contribute more than they had to and 45 per cent would not recommend the LHD as a place to work.
The results came as the Orange Health Service Medical Staff Council continues to work with the LHD to heal ructions.
LHD medical services director Dr Clayton Spencer noted only 66 doctors of the 500-strong workforce participated.
“The survey provided some very valuable information which can inform our own more detailed survey,” he said.
“We continually look for better ways to engage with our medical staff and welcome any feedback.”
Dr Spencer said the LHD’s survey would ask how it could engage more meaningfully.
“This report will encourage both junior and senior doctors to participate, giving a more comprehensive outline,” he said.