The Minister for Health and Wellbeing, Meegan Fitzharris has launched an independent review of the workplace culture across ACT Health and established a leadership forum to advise her on planning, training and other related issues.
Announcing the measures, Ms Fitzharris (pictured) said there must be zero tolerance for bullying and harassment.
“Over time it has become clear to me that the governance of ACT Health had let staff down for some time,” Ms Fitzharris said.
“I have outlined avenues staff can take to raise their concerns and have them addressed, as well as initiated an independent process for complaints with the Health Services Commissioner.”
She said governance structures and processes to deal with inappropriate workplace behaviour were unclear, and people were not given the opportunity to lead.
“The independent review will be tasked with independently investigating and reporting on the culture and behavioural issues as they relate to ACT Health services,” Ms Fitzharris said.
“It will be chaired by an external eminent person and take six months to provide a final report and recommendations to government,” she said.
“Terms of reference are currently being developed for this inquiry and stakeholders will be included in their development.”
She said the Clinical Leadership Forum would report to her and include a range of representatives from across the Canberra Hospital, Calvary Public Hospital and broader ACT health services sector.
“The Forum will also provide an important mechanism for clinical leaders to advise on health services planning and infrastructure, clinical culture, and training and education,” Ms Fitzharris said.
“Both of these important mechanisms will support staff to raise issues and have them addressed, and will ensure that privacy and confidentiality of individuals is upheld,” she said.
“Let me be clear, any behaviour that is not aligned with the values of ACT Health cannot continue.
“There must be a mechanism for people to share their stories safely and privately and for ACT Health to learn from these. And there must be a mechanism to look forward, set the new standard and lead.”
Ms Fitzharris said the Canberra community wanted to know they could see a doctor when they needed to, get the treatment they need and ongoing care and rehabilitation as required.
“I know the thousands of people who work in ACT Health want this to be their focus as well,” she said.
