In the lastfew weeks I have been hearing what is building to a crescendo of rumblings andconcerns about the way NEHTA is being managed.
Before listingwhat I am hearing I have to make the point that virtually all those who havebeen in touch are, for one reason or another, no longer with the organisation. In my opinion this gives veracity to theircomments as they really have no reason to be untruthful - given that theirrelationship with the organisation has been severed. I also think that to havemultiple former employees actively seeking out ways of drawing attention to perceivedor actual wrongs (including by contacting me) - certainly indicates a considerable depth offeeling, annoyance and frustration.
I have listedsome of the major concerns that I have heard below, and although I cannotconfirm the factual accuracy of any of the key concerns, I have heard all ofthe below sentiments from multiple sources.
Someconsistently raised concerns include:
1. That thereis a culture of bullying among some layers of management that has been thecause of a significant number of resignations and departures. I have also beentold that there are rumours of consultant help being sought - as either a realeffort to fix things or maybe just to ‘whitewash’.
2. That therehave been at least some Workcover investigations of what is happening at NEHTA.
3. That therehave been instances where the Human Resource function may have been less thaneven handed in mediating issues that have arisen between staff and management.
4. Thatwithin NEHTA there is a sense of entitlement of managers which is leading tosome rather exceptionally extravagant behaviour - expensive restaurant usage,very expensive mineral water use etc .
5. That theattitude of some NEHTA staff to various volunteer contributors to the e-Healthprogram has been less than reasonable.
6. ThatNEHTA’s status as neither a Government or Private entity has led to a veryconcerning lack of accountability for public funds which many suggest is beingwasted at an alarming rate.
7. That’s, asan aside I am told that the HR department re-christened itself "PeopleCulture and Change", an acronym which the employees mockingly call the"Praetorian Council of Control".
That I amhearing these stories from multiple sources tends to suggest, to me at least,that we have a situation where the smoke is suggesting there is a fire somewherethat needs to be dealt with.
Given what weall need NEHTA to be and to deliver this all seems a bit sad.
For anyonewho feels that they need some external support here are the relevant contactnumbers:
Workcover NSW Hotline 13 10 50.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland hasa Workplace Bullying Hotline 1800 177 717.
Those whohave been not treated as they might wish should at least explore making contactwith the services above.
Of courseanonymous comments are always welcome to allow people to share their problems.
I realisesome will say this is part of David’s general anti-NEHTA propaganda but nothingI cite here has less than a really trustworthy source and I really feel thereare some people who are feeling pretty disempowered and voiceless in all thiswho would like the issues aired.
I havecompared stories from the various sources and what I am reporting seems tostack up. Given this, although my opinion is set, I leave my readers to decidewhat to take away from this. My feeling is that major change is really needed with all this if Australian e-Health is to actually progress.
David.
