Legal action has been launched over alleged safety issues in Canberra Hospital's Intensive Care Unit.

The Clinical Director of the ICU, Dr Bronwyn Avard, says she has raised health and safety issues with hospital executives many times, but Canberra Health Services (CHS) has not listened. 

At the same time, CHS is investigating Dr Avard for misconduct, including allegations of bullying and unreasonable behaviour, but Dr Avard claims that action is retaliation to her making formal complaints about safety issues.

Dr Avard is seeking an order to restrain Canberra Health Service from continuing its misconduct investigation. 

CHS chief executive Cathie O'Neill and executive director of Critical Care Lisa Gilmore are named in the Statement of Claim handed to the Federal Court, accused of facilitating alleged breaches of the Fair Work Act by CHS.

Dr Avard is seeking a declaration that CHS contravened the Fair Work Act, and damages for the “hurt, humiliation, anxiety and distress” that the actions taken against her allegedly caused.

There is currently no hearing date set for the matter, and CHS, Ms O'Neill and Ms Gilmore do not appear to have made comment.