2024 Conference Ep 9 - Who wants to take the lead? - Panel Discussion

The Scenario continued...During the investigation, the surgical resident revealed that she had been exposed to racial and sexual harassment and bullied and belittled by the surgical consultant.  She had made the surgical registrar aware of this, but nothing had been done.  She had mentioned it to the DMS, who chalked it up to a “personality clash” and told her she needed to harden up.  The consultant denies all allegations and angrily indicates he intends to sue for defamation.The anaesthetic registrar, when questioned about the clinical incident, indicated that she had possibly made an error of judgment due to fatigue.  She had worked lots of on-call, filled in for illness and stayed behind to help when needed, which was often.  She felt that this rotation and the fatigue had ruined her life.  The anaesthetic head of department was aware of the hours she was working, and refused to grant much of her claimed overtime, indicating it wasn’t in the budget and we all “just had to do what we had to do for the patients The ED resident who managed the patient, subjected to the investigation and questions about his management, became increasingly despondent and went on sick leave.  He subsequently brought legal action against the hospital for psychosocial injury, alleging that he had spoken to the emergency director about difficulties managing the endless flow of sick and injured patients, and feeling unsupported and unable to provide the care he felt they deserved.  As a result, he has developed insomnia, anxiety and has been diagnosed with PTSD.  He is unsure if he will return to the hospital or even the profession.The director of surgery, considering the allegations, has come under scrutiny.  As part of this, it is revealed that he was employed at a time of crisis in an area of need, both clinically and politically.  His appointment was signed off by the DMS, medical credentialling committee and regional office.An investigation by the media has uncovered multiple complaints by patients, which leads to the discovery that the surgical department in the hospital has encountered a substantially higher morbidity and mortality rate than others within the state.  The media are quick to blame the director of surgery, however this data is readily available and known to the hospital executive.  The DMS indicates that the hospital executive were made aware, but they were not concerned, indicating it was because of poor funding from the government, and what can we do?  The DMS does not pursue it.Under intense media interest and community and political pressure, an inquiry lays bare the cultural problems within the hospital.  The DMS and GM are particularly under the spotlight.  They respond that they have been working under unreasonable constraints and resource issues imposed on them from above and have been doing the best they can in the circumstances.In response to sustained and intense pressure, the DMS retires, the director of surgery is suspended by Ahpra, the registrar’s have long been rotated to other jobs, and the government decides to substantially increase resources in the area.  They commit to building a nice, shiny new hospital and hope it will attract a new cohort of doctors.  Every other regional health service complains that they are just as deserving, but the media have moved on to the latest tragedy within the Kardashian household.A new breed of clinical leaders is emerging to guide the hospital into a new era, but they are now desperate to know – Why would anyone want to be a clinical leader?This panel discussion will deep dive into who wants to take the lead. The panel members are: Prof Michael ClearyDr Hash AbdeenMs Sonya BlackDr Jillian Farmer