Arabic version: نقابة الأطباء تثير مخاوف بشأن السلوك في خدمة غاولر الصحية

According to ABC News, South Australia’s doctors’ union has raised concerns that alleged behavioural problems at Gawler Health Service could jeopardise patient care. The SA Salaried Medical Officers Association (SASMOA) submitted a report to SafeWork SA detailing concerns about workplace culture, including allegations of bullying, harassment and disrespectful behaviour by some nursing staff.

The report stressed that not all nursing staff were accused of the conduct. It said doctors had been left anxious and distressed, with concerns about professional liability and patient care. Among the incidents described was an allegation that a nurse snatched a mobile computer station from a doctor during a patient admission. The report also said the possible demotion of a senior doctor was openly discussed with colleagues without that doctor’s knowledge or consent.

SASMOA also alleged that a manager overrode the clinical judgement of three specialist doctors and blocked a patient’s clinical care plan. Chief industrial officer Bernadette Mulholland said the concerns had continued for about 18 months and that doctors believed local administrators had not acted quickly enough. She said staff felt unheard and that conflict had contributed to anxiety and health concerns.

The Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network, which covers Gawler Health Service, said SafeWork SA representatives visited the site on July 2, several weeks after SASMOA’s inspection, and found no breaches of work health and safety laws. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation said it had not identified evidence indicating systemic bullying by nursing staff, while calling for allegations to be properly investigated through workplace processes. BHFLHN chief executive Bronwyn Masters said SA Health was investing in support for employees and workplace culture, and Mulholland said an external review was expected to make recommendations for improvements.