Get Help

Where do I go for help?

This is not an exhaustive list of contacts but hopefully a good starting point for concerns related to

  • Personal Health and Wellbeing
  • Training
  • Industrial
  • Medico-Legal Issues.

 Personal Health and Wellbeing

  • Victorian Doctors Health Program
    • Provides a free, confidential and comprehensive service to support doctors including
      • Information for anybody concerned about a colleague
      • Assistance with finding a GP for treatment
      • Assessment and referral for mental and physical health concerns
      • Management plans for various purposes, including return to work
      • Caduceus Group (support group for doctors with substance use issues)
      • Advocacy
    • A variety of useful supports are available on their website
  • Employee Assistance Program
    • All health services are supported by their specific Employee Assistance Program, which is confidential
    • These programs provide employees access to telephone counselling and a limited number of free face-to-face counselling sessions
    • Your health service human resource / medical workforce department should be able to provide further details

 Training

  • Your local health service may be able to provide initial guidance (eg peers, local consultant, hospital coordinator of training etc.) depending on the nature of your concern
  • Director of Training
    • Each hospital service in Victoria falls under a regional Director of Training (DoT), who is responsible for providing guidance and oversight for trainees and supporting their training experience and wellbeing.
    • For trainees concerned about a potential conflict of interests for their DoT, it is suggested that trainees consider approaching another DoT for guidance.
  • RANZCP Trainee Representative Committee
    • The TRC provide formal representation to the college and you can contact the appropriate member to discuss particular issues and seek their advice or support
  • VAPT
    • We provide feedback to the College via our attendance at the monthly Victoria Branch and Branch Training Committee meetings
    • General feedback about training and service related issues can be directed to VAPT service representatives and other members
    • VAPT represents trainees as a group and does not provide individual support

Industrial

  • Your local health service may be able to provide initial guidance (eg peers, local consultant, hospital coordinator of training etc.) depending on the nature of your concern
  • AMA Victoria
    • They can provide phone advice on industrial issues and VAPT encourages all trainees to become members
    • Also capable of providing formal advice and representation if necessary
    • Their Doctors in Training (DiT) Subdivision also provides advocacy for junior doctors in general.
  • The current Enterprise Bargaining Agreement that outlines entitlements and rates of pay can be found on the AMAVic Website

Medico-legal

  • It is generally better to seek advice early, as issues of a medico-legal nature can be quite stressful
  • Senior staff can provide support and debriefing and the hospital can provide legal advice and guidance
  • VAPT encourages all trainees to have a good relationship with their Medical Defence Organisation (eg Avant, MIPS, MDA National) and utilize their phone advisory service
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