Doctors’ Alliance welcomes the NSW Government’s commitment to doctors-in-training health and wellbeing

The AMA (NSW) / ASMOF NSW Alliance welcomes the NSW Government’s plan to support doctors-in-training.

The Alliance’s Doctors-in-Training Committee Chair, Dr Tessa Kennedy, said the NSW Government’s Junior Medical Officer (JMO) Wellbeing and Support Plan, which was released today, should make a significant difference to the health and wellbeing of junior doctors.

“Our junior doctors are over-worked, over-tired and over-stressed. The demands and expectations placed on junior doctors not only affect our ability to care for patients, but also our ability to care for ourselves.

“Simply put, many doctors-in-training are burnt out. Many suffer in silence, feeling unable speak up.

“The recent loss of our colleagues to suicide has forced the medical profession and the NSW Government to examine the system and culture of healthcare and look at how we can make it safer for junior doctors, which in turn makes it safer for patients,” she said.

“The NSW Government’s commitment to limiting hospital shifts to a maximum of 14 hours, and with a break of 10 hours between shifts is an important first step to significantly reduce doctor fatigue.

“While there is still more work to be done, these are among the changes the Alliance has been calling for and we are pleased to see the Government deliver.

“A review of rostering practices to identify unsafe working hours as well as unpaid hours will also help highlight areas where fatigue is highest and where junior doctors are not being fairly remunerated.

“Changes to mandatory reporting would also be welcome. The current rules prevent many junior doctors from seeking help for fear of repercussions to their careers. Current mandatory reporting rules also reinforce a culture of silence and shame around mental health issues.

“Together these measures, and the other strategies outlined in the plan, are an important recognition of the stressors doctors-in-training face and a system that too often fails them. However, with the implementation of these recommendations, I am confident we can create a healthier working environment for junior doctors, and importantly – a higher level of care for patients,” said Dr Kennedy.

Media contact: Andrea Cornish 0419 402 955