Calvary Hospital bullying claims under investigation
Allegations of widespread and systemic bullying at Calvary Hospital are now subject to an investigation, ACT Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris confirmed.
During a recent ACT estimates hearing, the Ms Fitzharris said claims of bullying at the hospital were being looked into by Calvary executives.
"I wrote to the CEO Martin Bowles...in terms of those claims that have been raised about Calvary Public Hospital in Bruce, asking for those claims to be thoroughly investigated," she said.
"He wrote back to me assuring me that they were."
The investigation comes following revelations by The Sunday Canberra Times of a toxic culture of bullying and harassment at Calvary.
Staff at Calvary said bullying came from fellow employees and those in managerial positions, with those who lodged complaints to HR about staff conduct allegedly ended up being the subject of a counter-complaint against them.
Following initial reports of bullying at Calvary, Ms Fitzharris called for an investigation into workplace practices at the hospital.
While inquiries into bullying practices are under way into Calvary Hospital, ACT Liberals health spokeswoman Vicki Dunne asked at estimates whether similar inquiries were being conducted into Canberra Hospital.
ACT Health interim director-general Michael De'Ath said bullying matters at the hospital are being looked into.
"When necessary, people who are either party to raising the concerns or who feel they are in receipt of such behaviours are also engaged with," he said.
"We take these matters extremely seriously, whether they are brought to our attention anonymously or not.
"We want to encourage a culture where people can feel comfortable to legitimately raise their concerns without fear or threat."
Concerns about staff culture and low morale at the Centenary Hospital for Women and Children were also raised at estimates, following a letter sent to Ms Fitzharris by senior nurses and midwives earlier this year.
Canberra Hospital's women, youth and children executive director Elizabeth Chatham told the committee she refuted many claims outlined in the letter, despite saying the staff who wrote it "did so with the best intentions".
"There were many claims in the letter that were not accurate. What is accurate is that the staff have been under relentless pressure due to demand," Ms Chatham said.
"When you have relentless demand pressure, that is impacted through low resilience of staff, sometimes sick leave, and just a sense of being overwhelmed at some times.
Ms Fitzharris also refuted claims of a poor workplace culture at the hospital.
Ms Chatham said she also heard that staff at the hospital were afraid to come forward to report bullying claims for fear of reprisal.
Estimates heard that three psychologists were brought into the hospital in December to support staff to help manage stress in multiple departments.
"We are repeatedly telling staff that it is okay to come forward," Ms Chatham said.
"We investigate any issue that is raised, whether it is a clinical issue, a safety concern or a bullying complaint. Every issue is investigated."
Four staff forums have been held in recent months for Centenary Hospital employees, two of them led by Ms Fitzharris.