Junior doctors at the Manning Base Hospital will be issued an apology after being told not to sleep on overnight shifts, with a mattress and linen removed from their break room.
Doctors were told to assist other departments on quiet nights in an email sent to junior medical officers on Wednesday by the Taree Medical Administration.
“Sleeping is not part of your job description. If you find that you have no further duties to attend to the expectation is that you either attend the Emergency Department to assist them or contact the overnight SRMO [Senior Resident Medical Officer] and assist them on the wards,” the email read.
Manning Base Hospital Administration said it would apologise to junior doctors after being contacted by the Australian Medical Association NSW. Credit: Alamy
“The mattress and dirty linen have been removed and this room will be monitored by security, if bedding is found to be returned to this area further action will be taken.”
But after being contacted by the Australian Medical Association NSW, a Hunter New England Health spokesperson said the hospital would apologise to staff.
“All staff are encouraged to use the designated rest areas to take meal, rest or sleep breaks as required while ensuring patient care is a priority,” the spokesperson said.
“Manning Hospital has designated rest areas available and does not discourage staff members
seeking rest safely and appropriately … the safety and wellbeing of all staff is of vital importance.”
AMA NSW Doctors-In-Training Chair Dr Sanjay Hettige said it was vital that Doctors-In-Training were supported to provide the best possible patient care.
“AMA (NSW) sought a commitment from the hospital that it will support Doctors-In-Training to manage fatigue, including supporting rest breaks as appropriate and providing clean and safe facilities for DITs to rest,” he said.