Interventional radiologists collectively resign from Sydney's Westmead Hospital
The entire group of interventional radiologists at the troubled Westmead Hospital have resigned after lengthy negotiations with hospital executives failed to reach a resolution.
Interventional radiologists are critical doctors who perform a broad range of procedures and are essential for major and trauma surgeries.
The group have now collectively resigned and Westmead Hospital is faced with the prospect of having no interventional radiology services from July 8 unless it can come to an agreement.
One doctor, who spoke to the ABC on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to speak publicly, said without interventional radiologists the hospital would struggle to run a range of essential services, like trauma surgeries and high-end obstetric care.
The interventional radiologists had been negotiating over what they argue is outdated equipment in their department and pay which they say does not reflect their expertise or the stress of their job.
Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) has been contacted for comment.
Health district chief executive Graeme Loy on Thursday stepped down from his role, hours before a scheduled meeting that was to hold a vote of confidence relating to allegations of poor patient safety and delayed cancer diagnoses at Westmead Hospital.
The week prior, head of the gastroenterology department Jacob George, who had raised concerns with management, was dismissed, with one senior doctor saying it was retaliation for speaking out.
"For many years we have been struggling to have our concerns listened to, and the executive has been aware," the doctor, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity, told the ABC.
Senior staff also said they raised concerns for years about clinical wait times for routine scans that could detect preventable cancers. Some patients had waited up to three years.
The ABC understands wait time impacted screenings in departments including cardio, renal, dermatology and gastroenterology.
"It's a major risk and it's something we shouldn't be letting people down on," the anonymous doctor said, adding that delays could mean hundreds of patients who have cancer could receive late diagnoses or remain in the dark about their disease.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said he was concerned about "changes" at Westmead and expected "better outcomes".
The premier said while he would not rule anything out, an inquiry into wait times would be the slower option.
"We are doing an investigation … but ultimately your taxpayer, your average citizen would expect a better service," he said.
"The shortest distance between A and B, between where we're at today and an improved service is the one we'll take, and if that can be done internally that's what we'll do."
A letter sent to hospital staff by Westmead Medical Staff Council deputy chair Jenny King said this was a particular concern "for those patients with a positive faecal occult blood screen".
Overnight, a delegation of about 200 doctors passed a motion to demand the opportunity to meet with Mr Park about their concerns.
"The issue of failure to provide care for those patients at high-risk malignancy has long been documented," Dr King wrote.
NSW president of the Australian Medical Association, Kathryn Austin, said the issues were symptomatic of a lack of investment in staffing at public hospitals.
"It's a sad state of affairs that it's come to this point and the clinical concerns haven't been addressed," Dr Austin said.
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