In This Section
In response to growing concern over poor patient outcomes, potential litigation, and doctor health, ASMOFQ (now SDQ) and AMA Queensland embarked on the assessment of the hours of work that are currently rostered and worked by hospital doctors, as well as an educational campaign to highlight:
1. The importance of safe working hours
2. The impact fatigue has on patient care
3. The impact on the health and welfare of doctors required to work unsafe hours.
Safe Hours Week was held during the week of 28 February 2005. Throughout the week ASMOFQ (now SDQ) and AMA Queensland representatives hosted meetings at 12 major public hospitals. Each meeting was well attended by RMOs and SMOs.
ASMOFQ (now SDQ) and AMA Queensland has since written a Safe Hours Report which has been presented to Queensland Health for comment.