Annette

KING

Health Spokesperson

7 April 2013 MEDIA STATEMENT

Unhealthy Culture In Health System Reports of bullying and mismanagement at some of the country’s largest hospitals are further confirmation of an unhealthy culture that has developed under this government, says Annette King, Labour’s Health Spokesperson.

”Allegations of bullying, poor leadership and putting artificial targets ahead of patient care are deeply disturbing. But sadly they are completely in keeping with what I am hearing out of the public health sector.

“Morale in our hospitals and other frontline public health services is low. There are real concerns about the way the health system is heading, but people are too afraid to speak out for fear of retribution.

“Ian Powell from the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists is right to raise alarm bells about the top-down culture in our hospitals.

“The fact is that culture starts at the very top, with the Minister Tony Ryall. His obsession with a few surgery targets and keeping a lid on costs has made life incredibly difficult for doctors and nurses – not to mention many patients.

“Tony Ryall should sit up and listen when doctors start to talk about bullying and mismanagement. This should be a wake up call for the Minister,” says Annette King.

ENDS

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