AMA (NSW) / ASMOF (NSW) Alliance: the state’s doctors-in-training need better support

AMA (NSW) / ASMOF (NSW) Alliance Doctors-in-Training Committee Co-Chairs, Drs James Lawler and Sanjay Hettige, say the state’s doctors-in-training need a system that better supports them.

“AMA (NSW) is today launching its election priorities for the 2019 State and Federal Elections, our Vision for a Healthier NSW, and improving things for doctors-in-training is an important part of that.

“We are the backbone of medical service and we fare poorly when compared to our interstate colleagues.

“There is an urgent need for a work value case to be conducted to assess just how significant our contribution to NSW Health is,” Dr Lawler said.

“It’s been well-publicised that NSW doctors-in-training are at high risk of burnout and issues we face at work can exacerbate this.

“These are problems that are obstinately hard to fix because of the State Government’s wages policy that significantly limits our ability to bargain for better conditions.

 “Most recently, it’s the plight of unaccredited registrars that has been highlighted in the media and this is something that needs changing immediately.

“They should not be rostered on less favourable terms than accredited registrars,” Dr Hettige said.

“NSW doctors-in-training need better protections while on-call – Victorian and WA junior doctors have detailed Award protections to limit excessive hours worked on-call.

“NSW doctors-in-training have an award that has not been updated in decades and the Government’s wages policy is a major roadblock to any change being achieved on that front,” Dr Hettige said.

“While we are no longer students, junior doctors still have extremely important educational commitments we must fulfil to advance and become the fully-trained doctors NSW needs.

“Other states recognise this with exam and educational leave and financial support to help their junior doctors attend.

“These educational requirements are mandatory and it’s only fair that these are treated more like work-related expenses,” Dr Lawler said.

Media contact: Lachlan Jones 0419 402 955