NSW Health staff have been told criticism ‘isn’t unwelcome’ following the scathing Healthcare Funding Report.
NSW Health staff shouldn’t be silent if they see something that could be improved. That’s the message in an email from the secretary of NSW Health, Susan Pearce, in the wake of the delivery of the Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding report.
As HSD reported last week, there were 41 recommendations across 12 key areas, including workforce, education and training, funding and procurement processes.
In an email to staff, Ms Pearce highlighted that Commissioner Richard Beasley QC not only noted NSW Health’s cooperation with the Inquiry but said: “cooperation extended to facilitating evidence from witnesses, who on many occasions expressed a form of disagreement or criticism about how things were done, or offered a different viewpoint to that of the NSW Ministry of Health or management”.
“Disagreement and criticism of the way things are done are not unwelcome,” Ms Pearce told staff on Friday.
“Every day in NSW Health, as the Inquiry noted, a genuine exchange of ideas about the ways in which the delivery of healthcare can be improved is critical.”
This includes making sure staff who raise concerns or make complaints feel safe to do so.
“I want everyone who works in NSW Health to know they can speak up if they feel they need to. I strongly encourage them to do so constructively. It is vital to ensuring we continue to provide the world class health service the Special Commission of Inquiry has recognised in its report,” Ms Pearce continued.
Less talk more action to reduce burnout
However, president of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) Professor Jennifer Martin highlighted many in the sector have been trying to get their message across for a while.
“This report confirms what frontline physicians have been saying for quite some time now and what the RACP explained to the Commission – the system is not supporting them enough to look after their patients or themselves,” Professor Martin said.
“The report rightly acknowledges that parts of our healthcare system have been underfunded for some time, by the Commonwealth as well as by NSW, particularly in workforce development and support.
“This underfunding has led to the burnout crisis we’re currently facing across the workforce,” she said.
Burnout is mentioned several times in the report. As part of his key findings, the Commissioner noted:
“While the [covid] pandemic undoubtedly contributed to this, that high rates of burnout persist within the system should be seen by all of those with an interest in maintaining a strong and effective health workforce as troubling. It is something that must be addressed in a meaningful way, and as a matter of priority.”
Burnout is particularly being felt in rural and remote areas where there are huge staff shortages.
According to Michael Whaites, Acting General Secretary NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association, the report acknowledges a lack of workforce planning in NSW, “something which is vital for healthcare facilities in metropolitan areas, but particularly for regional and remote settings to ensure we have the midwives and nurses our communities need,” he told HSD.
Professor Martin agreed that a workforce plan is critically needed: “A well-supported workforce is key to providing the best healthcare outcomes to patients, and it is clear that the need for comprehensive reforms has never been greater.
“We strongly support the report’s recommendation to expand specialist training networks and create dedicated rural and regional training pathways.
“Without immediate investment in expanding the medical workforce and improving working conditions, we risk further straining the state’s healthcare workforce,” Professor Martin said.
Related
As part of his recommendations, Commissioner Beasley also suggested workforce wellbeing data should be collated with a view of improving the wellbeing of the workforce.
“There should be a routine collection and collation of a granular data set directed to the wellbeing of the workforce (like that which the has been collected by the Chief Wellness Officer in the Sydney LHD) with a view to supporting and improving the wellbeing of the workforce within local organisations and across the system more generally,” he wrote.
Pay staff what they’re worth
Commissioner Beasley also noted that many areas of the workforce were making their feelings known through industrial action and workforce disputes.
“Indeed, at the time of writing this Report, and throughout the duration of this Special Commission, negotiations and disputes have been ongoing.”
He highlighted that many workers in the NSW public health system don’t share income parity with their counterparts in other states.
“What is not in doubt is that medical and clinical staff employed in the NSW public health system, as well as all other workers within that system, should be justly compensated for the labour and services they provide in a manner that is fair and reasonable,” he wrote in the report.
“Award reform is both desirable and overdue.”
Mr Thwaites agreed.
“Priority investment at the state level must also be towards pay to attract and retain adequate staffing,” he said.
The NSW government response
Ms Pearce agreed there were many areas of improvement needed across the system.
“We work in a huge and complex public health system and there always has been and always will be room for improvement and innovation, as we strive continuously to enhance patient experiences and outcomes,” she said.
In her email, made public on LinkedIn, she thanked everyone who works in the health system.
“Your dedication, skill and commitment for providing the very best patient care have been recognised by the Inquiry throughout the pages of the report,” she said.
“A crucial part of this ongoing effort is providing the support and creating the conditions to allow our staff to do what they do best – care for patients. I agree with the Honourable Justice Beasley, who said: ‘The health workforce is NSW Health’s greatest asset. It is the key to a strong and sustainable system into the future’.
“So, while I am the first to acknowledge that we have significant challenges to address, it is also true that we are addressing all these challenges from a position of strength, with one of the best healthcare systems in the world, staffed by the best workforce in the world,” Ms Pearce wrote.
The NSW Government will consider and develop a response to these findings over coming months.