Bullying and harassment among senior consultants and surgeons is said to be putting patients at further risk when they go under the knife.

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons is vowing to change the culture of the industry, after receiving a damning draft report from an expert advisory group.

It documents high numbers of complaints over what goes on inside surgical practice, from research that had high levels of participation.

Nearly half of Fellows, Trainees and International Medical Graduates reported being subjected to discrimination, bullying or sexual harassment.

71 percent of hospitals reported the same in their hospital, with bullying the most frequently reported problem.

Gender inequality has been identified as a central issue.

The group's chair, Rob Knowles, is shocked and said now that the extent and impact of these issues is clear, it's time for action.

Cathy Ferguson helped compile the report. She said a bad culture can create unhappy staff, and an unsafe work environment.

"This is a patient safety issue. If people are bullied then they don't work properly and they may become unsafe."

The college will now prepare an action plan by the end of November.