A ROYAL commission should be launched into the national health regulator and into hospital administration decisions damaging medical staff and care levels, according to Geelong’s leading paediatric surgeon Professor Paddy Dewan.
The outspoken whistleblower, a former chair of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons’ Victorian committee, had his contract with Barwon Health terminated last week after clashing over a medical case investigation.
Prof Dewan told the Independent he raised conflict-of-interest concerns about the person reviewing the case.
Barwon Health then appointed the same person to review its paediatric surgical services, he said.
Prof Dewan said his services were then terminated, after 18 years, in favour of the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Prof Dewan said he was lodging his concerns with the Fair Work Commission. He likened his case to the controversial Mark Colson case which triggered votes of no confidence in the Barwon Health executive over his dismissal.
“I’ve lost my contract with Barwon Health,” Prof Dewan said.
“I’ve been bullied out of my placement in public health on the basis of unreasonable response to issues I’ve raised. There’s no reason why I can’t continue to work in Geelong in association with the Children’s Hospital.
“Noting a vote of no confidence in the hospital executive on two occasions regarding the Mark Colson situation, I believe the behaviours related to that vote of no confidence are similar to the behaviour I’ve been subjected to.
“I’ve been the principal paediatric surgeon for 18 years and the service review didn’t involve a face to face meeting. It seems you only to review when you know the outcome.”
Prof Dewan was dismissed by the Royal Childrens Hospital in controversial circumstances after complaints from fellow surgeons. Prof Dewan has reported dozens of incidents involving surgeons and told the Independent his speaking out should be viewed by medical authorities as challenges to be tackled not howled down.
“You see the ethos in Australia at the moment with the Catholic Church, the Salvos, immigration and police but what hasn’t really come to light is the health industry,” he said.
“It needs investigation. We don’t need more money in health, we need a healthier culture of care.
“There needs to be a royal commission into the national health regulator and a similar process into outcomes for medical staff from the behaviours of administrators in hospitals — they need to be supported.
“I could be really angry but feel sorry for people whose behaviour at the end of the day must be leaving them feeling pretty miserable.”
Spokesperson Kate Nelson said Barwon Health no longer needed paediatric surgeons after deciding to use RCH paediatric surgical services.
Three paediatric surgeons would “not have their contracts renewed” as a result, she said.
“The initiative has been consulted and has broad clinical support,” she said.
Ms Nelson said Prof Dewan was given three months notice.
“In recent weeks Mr Dewan has been recruiting the families of patients to champion his cause,” she said.
“He has also made a number of demands for Barwon Health to renew his contract. These demands have been accompanied by indications of further consequences if they are not met.
“In Mr Dewan’s previous legal battles with The Royal Children’s, Western Health and APHRA he has had support from patients families on-line, in the media and physically outside the hearings.”
