Junior medical officers who recently started back at public hospitals will benefit from several new projects under a $1 million package aimed at improving their health and well-being.
The Junior Medical Officers (JMO) Be Well Program has provided funding for eight new projects across the state in the next three years.
Among the projects include South Eastern Sydney Local Health District’s mental health first aid – train the trainer program. This projects trains those who supervise and work with JMOs in techniques to assist them in distress or facing difficulties in the workplace.
As at June 2018 there were 7693 full time equivalent junior medical officers working for NSW Health – an increase of 18 per cent in the past five years.
The new projects are in addition to the JMO well-being and support plan launched in November 2017.
They follow the release of the second Your Training and Well-being Matters Survey, which shows the number of junior doctors who agree that their hospital supports junior doctor training has increased, up five percentage points to 74 per cent.
NSW Health deputy secretary of people, culture and governance, Phil Minns, says the government is committed to addressing burnout and mental health issues among hardworking young doctors, with local programs that best address their needs.
“It is part of a comprehensive plan to improve the training and working environment of junior medical officers and ensure they have a long, rewarding career in our world-class public health system,” he said.