A leaked draft SA Health report has shed light on shocking conditions faced by doctors working in the public health system - with revelations of increasingly high rates of burnout, staff turnover and poor workplace morale.
Painting a grim picture of being a medical professional, the SA Health Doctors Wellbeing Report details cultural expectations to “work regardless of illness or lack of sleep” and shows that those who act against this are often marginalised and labelled “uncommitted” or “weak.”
Leader of the Opposition, Vincent Tarzia said South Australians simply can’t afford for this toxic workplace culture to continue.
“Our doctors save lives every single day, and to think they don’t feel safe and supported to do this incredibly important work is heartbreaking,” Mr Tarzia said.
"The Labor Government can’t just run our existing workforce into the ground and expect them to work longer and longer hours - they need support, and that must include recruiting and retaining more staff across the board to help share the load.”
Shadow Minister for Health, Ashton Hurn said it’s unacceptable to keep flogging our doctors while expecting them to do more in a system that’s broken.
“Our health system is battling extraordinary pressure due to record ramping and overcrowded emergency departments under Labor and this report highlights how challenging and exhausting that is for our hardworking doctors,” Mrs Hurn said.
"The report also highlights that there is already a shortage of doctors across SA Health, and we know that demand for healthcare is only going to increase.
“If we continue to see high rates of burnout, leading to increased staff turnover, there will be nobody left to staff our hospitals and care for South Australians.
“We’ve long been calling for incentives to attract and retain doctors and nurses and we need to see Labor come to the party on that. We also must ensure those wanting to become doctors are supported to last in the profession, not burn out due to mental stress, unsafe working conditions and poor workplace culture.”
