Thomas Embling Hospital staff battling burnout, drug abuse and violence
Insiders at Victoria's only mental healthcare provider for the criminal justice system is inefficient with government funding and struggles with a junior workforce that is burning out, according to a leaked report.
The Thomas Embling Hospital, located in Melbourne's inner north, is a high-security forensic mental health facility that treats patients found not guilty due to mental illness. The hospital, operated by Forensicare, is currently experiencing significant workforce issues, according to a leaked confidential report. The workforce at the hospital is predominantly junior, leading to excessive workload pressure and negatively impacting morale.
Forensicare has been commissioned to conduct an independent review to identify the root causes of workforce dissatisfaction, inefficiency, and sustainability risk. The report found that the hospital receives comparable, even favorable, government funding for medical staff as other states, indicating a systemic problem rather than a resource deficit.
The hospital is also grappling with staff turnover, violence, and drug abuse. Forensicare has faced accreditation issues for trainee positions due to violence and inadequate supervision. The hospital's workforce is fragmented, with part-time arrangements creating pay disparities and unclear roles, adding to the workload pressure.
The review also highlights the need for rebuilding trust within the hospital and utilizing the expertise of the medical advisory committee. The hospital is dealing with a growing prison population due to bail reform and expanded services.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
