We welcome the AMA (WA)’s 2026 Hospital Health Check (HHC) which provides valuable insight into how DiTs experience their workplace, and where further improvement is needed.
This year’s results show steady performance across key areas, including improvements in how we support DiTs with their terms, workloads and rostering. It is also encouraging to see DiTs report strong feelings of safety at work, which remains fundamental to our organisation.
These results come at a significant time for South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS), with our largest-ever intake of junior doctors. A total of 132 new interns commenced this year, reflecting both the scale of our teaching role and the supports we have in place for DiTs.
Over the past two years, we have invested in stronger and more structured support for DiTs through our Doctor Support Unit (DSU). We recognise that positive early-career experiences support wellbeing and retention, and
ultimately contribute to high-quality care for our patients and their families.
Since the DSU was established in 2024, SMHS has achieved strong recruitment outcomes and is now the second most preferred WA employer for local medical graduates.
Our DSU delivers sector-leading education and training through paid out-of-hours teaching, comprehensive training programs, structured career planning, research opportunities, and targeted support for doctors at all career stages. This is complemented by practical improvements to leave access, overtime claiming, and return-to-work support.
Listening to our doctors also remains a priority. Through tools such as Maali Yarning and the Term-ometer, the DSU provides clear, confidential and anonymous pathways for feedback and concerns, alongside the SMHS Safe to Say platform developed in partnership with Crime Stoppers WA.
While we are encouraged by these results, we recognise this is long-term work. The 2026 HHC will continue to guide priorities across SMHS as we work to ensure our DiTs feel supported, heard, and able to develop confidently, while delivering excellent care to our community.
