Qld hospital staff fear low morale

Staff at a major Queensland hospital are so concerned about constant management changes they've voted to bring their concerns up with the health minister.

Patient care at a major Queensland hospital could be affected by low morale over lay-offs, staff warn.

Australian Medical Association Queensland president Dr Shaun Rudd says 20 executive directors at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital have been sacked, resigned or suspended over the past 18 months.

He says that after the clear outs 13 senior executive positions are still vacant.

Doctors and medical staff are so worried they voted on Wednesday night to inform Health Minister Lawrence Springborg of their concerns about low morale.

Dr Rudd says there could be serious implications for patient care if nothing is done.

"It's very hard to be confident in the people who are running the place, the governance of the place, when these things are happening," Dr Rudd told Fairfax Radio.

"If things are not being done properly from the top then things tend to end up not being done properly further down the chain.

The AMAQ president said the hospital board needed to get confidence back in staff and senior managers.

He also said hospital staff are arranging to meet the Queensland Health director-general soon.

Comment has been sought from the government.


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