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]