In June 2015, the NSW Medical Students' Council (NSWMSC) wrote to the Secretary of NSW Health, Dr Mary Foley, to congratulate the Ministry on taking the appropriate steps to condemn workplace-related sexual harassment and bullying within the NSW public health system, and provide junior doctors the appropriate reassurance and support mechanisms in place (advisory line, JMO forum, DPETs). This was following a letter circulated to all Junior Medical Officers in late May 2015.

Medical students are often hesitant to voice concerns or seek advice on such matters, being at the bottom of the medical hierarchy. Sexual harassment on student rotations is probably something that happens more often than we think. Given that the NSW medical students are one of the most vulnerable groups in the NSW public health system, the NSWMSC requested that the Ministry also engages with the students in a similar manner.

The Ministry's response is attached below (click here if viewing on a mobile device). The NSWMSC welcomes the opportunity to work closely with NSW Health, to ensure that students have an appropriate and effective means of reporting, without having to worry about implications - in line with NSW Health's vision that "all staff are able to operate in an environment free from bullying and harassment".

The NSW Medical Students' Council represents more than 4,500 medical students across 7 medical schools in NSW. For more information please contact [email protected]

The NSWMSC would like to call for an end to bullying and harassment towards medical students and junior doctors in the health workplace.

NSWMSC Chair, Mr Neel Gobin said that bullying and harassment is not an appropriate method of educating or leading medical students and junior doctors to become the future workforce.

“Bullying and harassment in hospitals towards anyone, but particularly towards young medical trainees is not acceptable in any way. It is simply not an effective way of communicating or teaching” Mr Gobin said.

Bullying and harassment has been reported by many medical students and junior doctors. NSWMSC supports moving towards more appropriate and effective approaches of teaching and leadership in healthcare.

“It is time to end this kind of behaviour. We should ensure that we are using the most effective methods of training our future workforce, as well as supporting those who have been affected by workplace harassment and bullying as best we can”, Mr Gobin said.

NSWMSC is working with medical students, NSW medical societies and other organisations to develop effective strategies to support those who have been affected, and ensuring that changes are made.


The New South Wales Medical Students' Council (NSWMSC) is the peak representative body for state issues affecting medical students. 



Media Contact: 
Christopher Lemon
0415 387 990
[email protected]

We are currently working on an internship-related campaign to raise awareness regarding the lack of internship places for all NSW graduates.

We will be sharing stories of students who are genuinely interested in working in NSW after graduation & are worried that they may not be able to make good use of their hard-earned medical degree.

Check out #HelpMeHelpYou  here - http://www.nswmsc.org.au/internship-stories/

Are you the next Atul Gawande or Oliver Sacks? NSWMSC is now advertising for submissions for it’s annual publication, RUBIX! 

RUBIX will be published online and in print and distributed in medical schools & clinical schools across NSW. NSWMSC is looking for reflective pieces that are topical and insightful for NSW medical students. Possible topics include new medical schools in Australia, student mental health and solutions to health inequities. The only requirement is that pieces inform the reader about the special features of being a student in NSW. Maximum 700 words, and any accompanying images are welcome. The best reflection will receive a NSWMSC prize! 

Send your submissions to [email protected] by 29 August 9pm. Get writing!

THE BRILLIANT CONFERENCE 2015

Celebrating Brilliant Minds & Bright Ideas impacting patient care in hospitals

The Brilliant Conference combines inspiring presentations, challenging discussion, brilliant case studies and a bright ideas trade showcase.

NSW Medical Students’ Council is proud to endorse and support this event and we are offering our members the opportunity to win FREE conference registration passes (total value $950). For your chance to win, keep an eye-out for our August mail-out (join our mailing list here if you are not yet a subscriber - http://www.nswmsc.org.au/join-our-mailing-list.html)

In addition to a line up of expert speakers covering every angle of hospital innovation, The Brilliant Conference will host the launch of two Australian healthcare innovations.

Mr Marcus Dawe, Founder and CEO of Australian healthtech start up Health-Innovate will launch the platform at the conference and share insight from the start up journey. The second launch is for BesRehab’s Exoflex™Hand Therapy & Assessment Device.

The Brilliant Conference will host twelve speakers from Australia and New Zealand, including start up CEOs, IP experts, investment strategy specialists, research scientists, surgeons and IP law experts.

"On Friday the 4th of September the Wollongong University Medical Students Society will be running the third annual Inspiration Evening. The Inspiration Evening brings together medical students from across the state as well as members of the local Illawarra Shoalhaven community (medical and non-medical) for a night that will provide food, drinks, challenging discussions and a generous serve of inspiration!

Relax at your table and enjoy some canapés and wine whilst our three diverse and engaging speakers lead you to reflect on the vast array of opportunities within the medical field. Tickets are available via the WUMSS website at www.wumss.org.au/inspiration. Tables of 8-10 can be arranged via email at [email protected]

Follow the event updates on the Inspiration Evening Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/InspirationLecture?fref=ts

Hope to see you there!"