Government response to bullying in hospitals will 'almost inevitably fail': AMA

The concerns come after a damning KPMG report revealed instances of sexual harassment and propositioning in the workplace, items being thrown at staff, belittling of complainants, public humiliation and abusive phone calls, text messages and emails.

The report found 76 per cent of respondents observed bullying, discrimination and harassment, with complaints unlikely to be resolved in timely or effective ways.

All seven recommendations from the report were accepted by Minister for Health Simon Corbell, although the medical association has little faith they will end decades of cultural decay.

ACT Australian Medical Association president Dr Elizabeth Gallagher said she welcomed the report but was concerned the government had not prioritised engagement with junior doctors and representatives.

"We have serious concerns that the recommended internal ACT Health process will almost inevitably fail to resolve the issues," she said.

Dr Gallagher said the recommendations and government responses had no reference to future co-operation with registration authorities, the AMA or the Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation.

"Given the national coverage the issues of discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment have recently received, this omission is both surprising and disappointing," she said.

"Given contributors to the review had little confidence that the Canberra Hospital was serious in its approach to eliminating discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment, the inclusion of external stakeholders to the resolution process is vital."

Mr Corbell said he would meet the AMA in November and looked forward to discussing their involvement in more detail.

"The release of the KPMG report was the start of this process, not the end, and we will be looking for engagement from all of the relevant stakeholders," he said.

"I have already met with the Royal Australian College of Surgeons and they have been willing to engage and are supportive of the approach we are taking."

The audit firm invited 401 hospital staff, from executive directors and clinical directors to focus groups, in July, although only 62 participated. Of the 50 directors invited, 22 turned up.

Dr Gallagher said there was no doubt the problem of bullying and mistreatment of junior doctors extended beyond the north side hospital.

"In particular, it is our view that Calvary Hospital should be brought into the process immediately," she said.

Earlier this year, AMA president Brian Owler wrote to former ACT health director-general Peggy Brown warning that sexual harassment could not be contained by state and territory borders.

Professor Owler said he was concerned by media reports detailing sexual harassment and issues that had been kept hidden from the public eye.

"Once those reports emerged, a significant number of members contacted me to tell their quite often harrowing stories of sexual harassment and how they felt the system did very little to support them," he said.

"Almost all of them decided not to complain about their experiences, expressing little confidence in available processes or that their concerns would be adequately and fairly addressed.

"The potential for redistribution and ostracism were common fears."

The KPMG report found staff feared complaining about misconduct would "rock the boat" and lead to retribution and a poor performance rating in competitive training environments.

Some trainees were not willing to "take the gamble" complaining, in case their contract was not renewed. Future employment was also a concern.

The report said a culture of "shaming" existed and management provided "positive reinforcement for aspiring bullies".

Trainees were subject to inappropriate language and sarcastic feedback, and publicly blamed for others' problems.

Some reported public threats of physical violence while senior doctors did not recognise legislative and regulatory requirements.