Our people

New workforce strategy to engage, empower and encourage junior doctors

In December 2023, EMHS launched a definitive new workforce strategy aimed at engaging, empowering and encouraging its Junior Medical Officers (JMOs) across the Royal Perth, Bentley and Armadale hospitals. 

Dubbed ‘The East Experience’, the tailor-made strategy is underpinned by 4 pillars geared at improving access to leave, overtime and flexible work conditions, as well as reducing administrative burden. 

Dr Clare Fellingham, Deputy Director of Clinical Services at Royal Perth Bentley Group (RPBG), is confident the new approach is bolstering EMHS’ reputation amongst JMOs. 

“We are keenly listening to what our junior doctors have to say about all aspects of their training experience here at EMHS. Importantly, we are committed to acting on what we hear,” she said. 

Helping greatly in this endeavour are roaming JMO Clinics that are fast becoming recognised as a point of contact, guidance and support across the wards. 

Reforming overtime remains a priority for EMHS and the advent of a digital overtime claim form has been a transformative step, with more than 98 per cent of claims now processed within the same pay cycle. 

For RPH Intern Dr Michael Thomas, the new form is a winner – and it takes less than a minute to complete. 

“It’s user-friendly, and you can now submit overtime day by day,” Michael said. 

“It makes me feel the time and effort I put in is worth something, and not just a hidden expectation of the job.” 

Michael commended the culture at RPH as one supportive of overtime where appropriate. 

“Hopefully we are working towards a workforce where the need for overtime is reducing, though it is good to know, at least we will be honoured for doing it.”

The new JMO workforce strategy also recognises access to leave as critical to avoiding chronic fatigue, stress, depression and burnout, and accordingly, has made it easier for JMOs to apply for and obtain leave. 

This includes abolishing the Leave Relief Pool for all registrars and trainees, staffing and empowering departments to cover leave internally, ensuring equity of leave access, and undertaking regular audits to confirm leave is being taken.

Embracing flexible working conditions is yet another pillar of ‘The East Experience’, with a range of part-time, flexible and casual employment opportunities being offered to JMOs. 

For Dr Christopher Kovacs, part-time work became the only option available when a stroke in 2018 saw him hospitalised for almost a year. 

Chris now works 14 hours a week at RPH’s Sexual Health Clinic. 

“The function in my left side is still poor, preventing me from undertaking procedural jobs. But my supervisor has found a bunch of different things for me to do, such as research and telehealth consults,” Chris said, adding it was a great comfort knowing he had access to such flexibility at work.

The final cornerstone of the new strategy focuses on reducing administrative burden, as JMOs have traditionally been required to undertake a greater number of clerical tasks compared to clinical. 

Several wins have already been experienced under this pillar, including an expanded phlebotomy and cannulation service, e-ordering for radiological imaging and of course, the digital overtime claim form. 

“The East Experience will continue to evolve and grow as a strategy,” Clare assured. 

“A dedicated Steering Committee meets every 6 weeks to keep things on track and ensure any concerns by the JMOs are addressed. We want the best JMOs out there to come and work at EMHS and, we want to retain the amazing junior doctors already here,” she finished.