Orange Health Service says its own survey shows junior doctors feel “well supported” working at Orange hospital.
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OHS general manager Catherine Nowlan said it had several services in place to deal with workplace culture and wellbeing of staff.
Ms Nowlan was responding to the Australian Medical Association’s 2018 Hospital Health Check survey released this week in which 20 junior doctors raised concerns about bullying, intimidation, harassment and assaults at the hospital.
A key performance indicator is safe rostering and fatigue management of junior doctors.
- Orange health Service general manager Catherine Nowlan
The survey found 34 per cent of junior doctors at Orange and Bathurst hospitals were afraid to report complaints of “inappropriate workplace behaviours” for fear of the consequences and 30 per cent felt unsafe due to verbal or physical threats or intimidation from patients or staff.
It also found 17 per cent had experienced bullying, discrimination or harassment from other staff while 34 per cent had witnessed it happening to another staff member.
However, Ms Nowlan said 30 trainees had participated in a survey on work culture and wellbeing last year and another one was under way at present. The OFS has 85 junior doctors.
“Survey results run with OHS suggest that junior doctors thoroughly enjoy the work environment and feel well supported by the hospital,” she said.
Ms Nowlan said the OHS had a dedicated department for dealing with junior doctors.
“A key performance indicator is safe rostering and fatigue management of junior doctors,” she said.
“All rosters are updated in accordance with safe working hour standards. We also gather feedback from junior doctors through term exit interviews.”
She said a junior medical officer wellbeing committee was being established at the hospital on top of other support services offered to junior doctors.
“Part of its function will be to provide a safe place for concerns and experiences to be heard and working through in a confidential manner,” she said.
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