Fears of a huge departure of hospital staff due to burnout among doctors and nurses

After 30 years at a prominent Melbourne hospital, John Wilson left last month, telling 7.30 he could no longer continue in what he called a "failed" system.

"It's reached the point where all practitioners, not just those in medicine but also those in nursing and allied health, are asking themselves, "Why am I doing this?" It's not good for my health, and it could even be deadly,' "Professor W....