The death of a respected heart surgeon in a highway crash has prompted the state’s peak medical body to push for a review of how the Department of Health manages staff fatigue and long-distance travel.
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) Tasmania says the death of Artyom Avetisyan must lead to real change in how doctors are rostered and supported when they drive long distances for work.
Avetisyan, 42, was a cardiothoracic surgery registrar at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
He died in a single-car crash on the Midland Highway near the Pontville roundabout around 10:40pm on Friday, June 12.
He was driving home to Hobart after a shift in Launceston when his car left the road.
The association acknowledged the circumstances surrounding the crash will be a matter for the coroner and WorkSafe Tasmania.
“However, the death of any doctor travelling for work or training must prompt more than a procedural response,” the AMA said.
“It requires a serious, compassionate and practical examination of work health and safety, fatigue management, rostering and travel arrangements.”
The AMA said it wrote to the department raising members’ concerns as soon as it learned of the crash.
It wants any review to be practical, transparent and focused on preventing another death.
The association said Tasmania’s spread-out health system means doctors regularly travel long distances between hospitals, clinics and training placements, adding to fatigue.
A Department of Health spokesperson said several fatigue management procedures were already in place to give staff advice and support.
They said staff were consulted on those processes earlier this year and the department was now collating the feedback.
Avetisyan had worked for the department for nearly three years, including at the Mersey Community Hospital in Devonport and the Royal Hobart Hospital.
He came to Tasmania after working in Sydney, having emigrated from Armenia.
