Dr Rob de Wit and Dr Amber Winter in the common room.
For the first time, junior doctors at Redcliffe Hospital have a space of their own.
Dr Rob de Wit is the chair of Redcliffe Hospital’s JMO forum and has been one of the strongest advocates for a common room for junior doctors.
“It is a safe space for junior doctors to unwind, bond with colleagues, and be themselves,” Dr de Wit said.
“Most other hospitals in Queensland Health have had a junior doctor common room for many years, and now Redcliffe does too.”
Director of Medical Education Dr Amber Winter said that a common room for junior doctors was important for many reasons.
“It is a place they can call their own in the busy work life of a junior doctor – somewhere to leave their belongings, meet with colleagues and take a rest or meal break,” Dr Winter said.
“It supports our focus on wellbeing and working together as a team.”
The junior doctors common room is the area formerly occupied by the Facility Services team, who moved into new office space earlier this year.
The spacious common room area includes practical facilities like computers, printers, lockers, and more comfortable areas for junior doctors to relax and rest.
Dr de Wit said junior doctors were grateful to many of the hospital’s senior medical officers and clinical leaders for their support in making the room a reality.
“We owe a debt of gratitude, particularly to Dr Dulhunty, Dr Yelland, and Dr Foley-Boscott, and also to our facility services team who made this room a reality for us,” Dr de Wit said.