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18 — THE WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN APRIL 23-24, 2005 — 18

More than 50,000 jobs in print and online

careerone.com.auHealthWeekend

INSIDE:MILKING ITDo kids’ bonesneed dairy?

DEMENTIAEPIDEMICCarers prepare tolobby politicians

The death of a young girl in a Queenslandhospital has raised awareness of the safetythreat posed by doctors’ long workinghours. Jane Lyons reports

Too many hours common: But hospital administrators won’t admit it, says the AMA’s David Hewett Picture: Patrick Hamilton

GEOFF Dob clearly remem-bers the exhaustion of hisfirst six months as a juniordoctor: expected to work 128

hours aweek and 36-hour shifts, thedarkest hours were those beforedawn when coffee seemed to be theonly thing that would get himthrough the night.And even after this initial training

period there was very little respite as DrDobandhis colleagues continued towork80-100 hours a week.

Now 56 and a senior consultant at theintensive care unit at the Royal PerthHospital, Dob says these hours maysound medieval but it was commonpractice when he started in 1973 — andnot much has changed since.

The Queensland branch of the Aus-tralian Medical Association is currentlyundertaking an audit of doctors’ hours intheir state, and has found that manydoctors, both senior and junior, are stillworking dangerously long hours.

Forty-one per cent of the doctorssurveyed have fallen into the high-riskcategory, with 80-plus-hour weeks, shiftsof 14 hours or more, at least three nightshifts and no days off. Fifty-six per centhave fallen into the significant riskcategory, having worked 60-hour weeks,with two night shifts, three days on-calland only one day off.

The audit was in response to a recentcase against a junior doctor found guiltyby theHealthPractitionersTribunal lastDecember of unsatisfactory professionalconduct . In 2002 AndrewDoneman, whowas a second-year resident at Queens-land’sCaloundrahospital,was in the20thhour of a 24-hour shift whenhemade thedecision to send home a 10-year-old girlwho had come into the hospital afterfalling out of her bed and hitting herhead. The girl subsequently worsened,was brought back to the hospital andlater died.

But despite finding against Doneman,the tribunal’s report made strong men-tion of fatigue as a contributing factor.

‘‘Onedoesnotneedmedical evidence toknow that anyonewho is in the 20thhourof a continuous duty must have reducedcapacity to assess the situation when itpresents itself,’’ it said.

‘‘If this tragedy leads to nothing else, itshould lead to the abolition of suchbrutally long shift hours, which must initself reduce the standard for care avail-able to patients.’’

The Queensland Government lastmonth asked the state’s Medical Board todecideasafeworkinghoursbenchmark fordoctorsafterbeingcriticisedoverthedeath.

The move was welcomed by the AMA,but the standard could take two years toimplement — and it is understood work isyet to beginondrafting thenewstandard.

David Hewett, chairman of the Aus-tralian Medical Association’s Council ofDoctors in Training, couldn’t agreemorewith the tribunal’s concultion that long

hours threaten standards of patient care.

Despite a 10-year Safe Hours Cam-paign by the AMA and the developmentofaSafeHoursCode,DrHewett says thiscase has underlined the fact that there isstill more work to be done on the issue ofjunior and senior doctors’ hours.

‘‘Twenty-four-hour shifts are muchmore common than (hospital) adminis-trators like to admit,’’ he says.

According to Hewett, vague and out-

dated industrial agreements have al-lowed rostered on-call hours to extend

agreed shift lengths, creating unsafe

hours such as those experienced by

Doneman.

He argues that the Doneman case

highlights the need to shift more of the

responsibility back on to the institutions

that are creating the unsafe rosters,rather than focusing solely on the indi-vidual doctors, ‘‘who must fall on their

sword for the public and media’’.Sue Page, president of the Rural Doc-

tors’ Association of Australia, says poorrostering practices contribute to the lossof rural doctors in an industry that isalready understaffed.

‘‘The biggest single reasonwhy doctorsleave the area is related to workplaceissues that are possibly fixable, and ofthose the biggest single reason is tight

Continued next page

RISK FACTORS■ Are doctors regularly scheduled to workmore than 10-hour shifts?■ Do doctors work more than 14consecutive hours in any one period(including overtime and recalls) at leasttwice a week?■ Is the minimum rest between scheduledwork less than 10 hours?■ Are the total hours worked in a seven-day period more than 70 hours (includingovertime and recalls)?■ Is the minimum non-work time in aseven day period less than 88 hours?■ Is there less than a 24-hour break free ofwork in a seven-day period?

Extract from the AMA’s National Code of Practice —Hours of Work, Shiftwork and Rostering for Hospital

Doctors (AMA, 1999)

Medical Appointments

NC05-9217

SPECIAL ADVERTISING REPORT

CAREERS IN NURSINGWith an ageing population, a hospital system in need of renewal and a shortage of qualified professionals, the nursing profession is one of the key players in the Australian Health sector. On Saturday 7 May, 2005, The Weekend Australian will publish Careers in Nursing to highlight the opportunities available throughout the country. Where are the jobs? What are the best Nurse education institutions? How do former nurses rejoin the profession? What type of career path can be developed for nurses?

This focused special advertising report in Australia’s largest selling national newspaper is an ideal opportunity for all involved in the health sector, Universities and Colleges and the nursing profession to promote their interests in this all-important career choice.

Booking Deadline: Tuesday 26th April 2005Material Deadline: Friday 29th April 2005Publication Date: Saturday 7th May 2005

ADVERTISING SALES OFFICESSydney: Dusan Stamenkovictel > 02 9288 3679Adelaide: Norma Pedicinitel > 08 8206 2760Brisbane: Samantha Andrewtel > 07 3666 7422Canberra: James Beattytel > 02 6248 5888Janet Sladetel > 02 6248 5888Hobart: Chris Barrytel > 03 6234 8588Melbourne: Angela Waylingtel > 03 9292 2349Gavin Carnstel > 03 9292 2323Newcastle: Rosemary Cricktel > 02 4982 6900Perth: Stephanie Watsontel > 08 9326 8298Bookings: tel > 1300 307 287

MANAGER, CLINICAL ENGINEERINGCLINICAL ASSET ADVISORY SERVICE

$75, 616 (MAS2)Duties: The Manager, Clinical Engineering is accountableto the General Manager, Hills Mallee Southern Region forthe operation of the Clinical Asset Advisory Service, abusiness unit within the Hills Mallee Southern RegionalHealth Services.

The Clinical Asset Advisory Service is a statewide, self-funding clinical engineering service provider. Thedepartment’s principle role is the contracted management ofthe clinical engineering equipment used in regional hospitalsfor treatment, monitoring and therapy of patients. Additionalthe department also provides some contracted and fee-for-service clinical engineering services to other governmentnon-regional hospitals and health services as well as privatehealth providers.

The Manager’s key responsibilities are:

• the ongoing provision of services in accordance withthe recommendations and requirements of AustralianStandards at a service level sufficient to meet hospitalaccreditation requirements

• the planning and implementation of management andoperational strategies that will benefit the service provisionand equipment facilities of Regional Health Units

• the development asset and risk management strategies

• the marketing of the Departments service capabilities tosupport the departments financial viability

• the financial management the business operations of theDepartment on behalf of the Hills Mallee Southern RegionalHealth Service

Essential Qualifications: Degree, Diploma or equivalent from arecognised tertiary institution combined with extensiveindustrial experience at a senior level relevant to the position.

Special Conditions: Regular intrastate travel involvingovernight accommodation. Regular out of hours work may berequired. A current SA driver’s licence and willingness todrive health service vehicles is essential.

Job and Person Specifications are available from: Peter Senn,Manager, Clinical Asset Advisory Service, ph (08) 8443 3111or 0408 244 828 or by e-mail, senn.peter@saugov.sa.gov.au

Enquiries and Applications to: Peter Senn, Manager, ClinicalAsset Advisory Service, Building 3, 26 Stirling Street,Thebarton SA 5031, ph (08) 8443 3111 or 0408 244 828.Please forward an original application plus three copies andinclude the name, address and contact number of three currentwork referees. Applicants are required toaddress the job and person specificationin their application.

Applications Close:6 May 2005 at 5.00pm

Hills Mallee SouthernRegional

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Eastern Health

Maroondah HospitalED Registrar PGY3+Ref: MS11679

Junior Medical Officer PGY2/3Ref: MS11680Department of Emergency Medicine

Maroondah Hospital is seeking Medical Officers in the Emergency departmentto fill vacancies. Both positions are to commence in May 2005.

The New Emergency Department was opened in March 2005 and seesapproximately 40,000 patients a year. There are 29 cubicles with state-of-the-art equipment, 12-bed short stay ward, 4 paediatric cubicles and 4 paediatricshort stay beds. The positions are well supervised by enthusiastic 9 EFT FACEMconsultants and Paediatricians.

There is an excellent education program locally, integrated with the verysuccessful Eastern Health ACEM training program. Protected training time isalso given for resident staff. The position is for a 6-12 month post with thepossibility of an extension.

Registration with the Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria is essential.

Enquiries: Dr Peter Archer, Director of Emergency Services 9871 3150 or Dr GregMele, Clinical Director 9871 3550.

Please apply on line: www.easternhealth.org.au or written applications quotingthe position reference number to :Mary Hatchard, HMO ManagerMedical Administration, Maroondah HospitalP.O Box 135, Ringwood East VIC 3135.

or email: Mary.Hatchard@maroondah.org.au

Applications close Friday 6 May, 2005.

Angliss HospitalGeneral Medicine Registrar/HMO3+ Commencing end May or February 2006Ref: HH11684Angliss Hospital is a 200 bed Hospital located in the foothills of the DandenongRanges, in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. A new Emergency Department withco-located short stay and High Dependency and Coronary Care Unit opened in2005. There are currently three general physicians each supported by a registrarand resident. Physicians contribute to the education of junior staff. There areexcellent links with the local GPs who support inpatient care.

The position will suit a basic trainee in medicine, emergency medicine or generalpractice seeking additional general medicine experience. The post is accreditedfor Basic Training with RACP - General Medical Registrar term.

Qualification: Registration with the Medical Practitioners Board of Victoria.

Enquiries: Dr Harvey Lander, Director of Medical Services 9764 6105 or to DrMartin Walter, Head of Medicine 9764 6110.

Closing Date: 13 May 2005

Apply on-line at www.easternhealth.org.au or written applications to MartinSmith, HMO Manager, Angliss Hospital, 39 Albert Street, Ferntree Gully 3156 oremail martin.smith@angliss.org.au.

www.easternhealth.org.au

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Make a DifferenceJoin ACT Health.

Applicants should note that Duty Statements, Selection Criteria and Application Packagesincluding Referee Report Proformas are available on the Department’s website athttp://www.health.act.gov.au/employment

THE CANBERRA HOSPITALSURGICAL SERVICESCARDIAC SURGERY

Clinical PerfusionistHealth Professional Grade 4$69,899 - $75,367Canberra (PN. 28742 Expected Vacancy)

Applications are invited from suitably qualified Clinical Perfusionists to fill an expected full-timevacancy in the Cardiac Surgery Department at The Canberra Hospital.

The Cardiac Surgery Department has one operating theatre, with a case load of 330 adult Cardiacprocedures per year. The successful applicant will share this case load with another full-time ClinicalPerfusionist, rotating the on-call commitments, week on-week off.

Eligibility/other requirements: Qualification Diploma with the Australian Board of CardiovascularPerfusion with a current certification.

A minimum 5 years experience in managing Cardiopulmonary Bypass and its associate equipment.The ability to manage Cardiopulmonary Bypass and various Perfusion procedures independently,under the direction of the Cardiac Surgeon. Experience in working in regional Cardiac Unitsdesirable.

Selection documentation may be obtained from www.health.act.gov.au/employmentContact Officer: Kaye Collins (02) 6244 3096

Applicants must quote the above position number when applying.

Applications Close: 5 May 2005

Applications to be addressed to:

The Recruitment OfficerACT HealthPO Box 11Woden ACT 2606or tch.recruitment@act.gov.au

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