A prominent respiratory specialist has resigned from his long-standing post at Melbourne’s The Alfred Hospital in “frustration” over failures in the healthcare system that have pushed doctors to the brink. 

Professor John Wilson, the outgoing president of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, had his final shift at the hospital this week.

He said it was a tough decision to leave after 30 years, but he felt he had to act over systemic issues, which were leading to doctor burnout and suboptimal patient care. 

“I held my breath for as long as I could and, I’m sorry, someone had to make a stand,” he told reporters on Thursday.