President of Australian Medical Officers Federation (ASMOF), Dr Antony Sara, says the Hunter's not alone when it comes to poor staff well-being, according to the 2018 Alliance Hospital Health Check.
"The Hunter is not alone, it's not the worst in the state but it's not the best," Mr Sara said.
Concerning numbers of bullying, harassment and discrimination have been revealed in the NSW report, with Hunter hospitals reporting numerous incidents of the behaviours as well as poor personal health and safety.
The John Hunter Hospital, Calvary Mater, Maitland and Belmont hospitals received a "C" average in the report and all scored a "D" for staff well-being.
Up to 61% of doctors in training at Hunter hospitals have experienced bullying, discrimination, and harassment from a staff member.
Most who experienced the behaviour were too afraid to report the incident, with almost 75% of those surveyed from the John Hunter Hospital fearing there would be negative consequences if they did.
The report surveyed 1351 junior doctors in NSW to reveal data on training, education, well-being and overtime in hospitals, showing that it is not improving with time.
"We see where the issues are and we take steps to change the culture, correct the issues and provide better support for the junior doctors-in-training," Mr Sara said.
Reports in Hunter hospitals of concern about personal safety and fatigue were higher than the state average.
69.47% of respondents at the John Hunter were concerned about personal health and safety as a result of working overtime, raising issues of making clinical errors are a result of fatigue.
"It gives us an indication of what we need to improve on, it's a process, it will take some time but we need to start now," Mr Sara said.
To see the report visit: http://www.alliancensw.com.au/hospital-health-check-2018/
