Doctors fail to stop Auckland Hospital bullying investigation
Sunday 4 October 2026 · 3 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story Health New Zealand, Employment Relations Authority, Association of Salaried Medical Specialists
The Employment Relations Authority has rejected an application by Dr Bodhi Wimalasena and Dr Samadhi Wimalasena to halt a Health New Zealand inquiry. The investigation follows an April complaint from seven senior medical officers alleging bullying and the creation of an unhealthy work environment at Auckland Hospital.
Key facts
6 facts
- The Employment Relations Authority rejected the doctors' bid to stop the investigation.
- Seven senior medical officers lodged the complaint in April 2026.
- The doctors deny all allegations of bullying and harassment.
- Dr Bodhi Wimalasena was permitted to attend Grand Rounds and hospital-wide events.
- Dr Samadhi Wimalasena remains on paid temporary discretionary leave.
- An investigation meeting is scheduled for December.
The full story
1 min read · 2 outlets
The Employment Relations Authority has rejected an urgent application by Auckland Hospital physicians Dr Bodhi Wimalasena and Dr Samadhi Wimalasena to halt a Health New Zealand inquiry into their workplace conduct. The investigation follows an April 2026 complaint lodged by seven senior medical officers via the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. The complaint alleges the doctors' conduct was "threatening, intimidating and harassing in nature" and created an unhealthy work environment. Both doctors deny all allegations.
ERA member Simon Greening ordered Health New Zealand to allow Dr Bodhi Wimalasena to attend weekly Grand Rounds and hospital-wide events. Greening ruled that attending these educational sessions within a department of approximately 27 physicians posed no operational conflict with complainants. However, Dr Samadhi Wimalasena's application for temporary reinstatement to the Emergency Department was denied. Greening accepted arguments that high-level interactions during fast-paced patient handovers between the Emergency Department and General Medicine staff posed a potential clinical risk to patient safety.
The doctors maintain that the investigation and interim workplace restrictions are retaliatory actions following protected disclosures made in February 2025 regarding workplace culture. Bodhi had been on leave since March 16 following what she described as the "March office incident". Samadhi was also on leave from March due to concerns regarding her health and wellbeing. All substantive personal grievances claiming unjustified disadvantage remain unresolved, with an investigation meeting scheduled for December.
How it developed
- Sun 4 Oct, 2:18pmThe doctors maintain the investigation is a retaliatory action following protected disclosures made in February 2025.
Where reports differ
- One report notes Bodhi returned to work in the older people's health department in June, while another focuses on the ERA's ruling regarding her reinstatement to educational meetings.
Compiled from reports by NZ Herald and Stuff.