Not alone.

In the June 2007 edition of "Doctor Q", the monthly magazine of the Queensland Branch of the Australian Medical Association (AMAQ), Dr Zelle Hodge wrote in her president's report that two doctor members had resigned from Uncle Beattie's Queensland Health because of and I quote,"personal bureaucratic harassment inflicted on them".


I don't think I need to say anything else.

Trust no one.

Under pressure (the use it or lose it sort) from Uncle Beattie to take annual leave, I planned four weeks. I even had a locum lined up.

I should have known better. At the last minute, Uncle Beattie decided not to pay for my locum. I only discovered this change in plan during a chance conversation with a receptionist.

The locum, being a sensible fellow, made a hasty exit for greener pastures. Uncle Beattie's deputy then suggested it might be difficult to spare me for more than two weeks without a locum. OK, so two weeks it was and the holiday plans fell through.

I keep asking myself why I was surprised.