Dr Thomas Drake-Brockman, AMA (WA) member since 2021, and Dr Natalie Ferrington, AMA (WA) member since 2023.
Dr Thomas Drake-Brockman & Dr Natalie Ferrington
Co-Chairs, AMA (WA) Doctors in Training Practice Group
“Medicine can be a demanding career so getting the basics right is important. We live by the principle that you must be the change that you want to see in the world. Joining AMA (WA) gives you the opportunity to truly contribute to changing our profession and the community for the better.”
Advocating for Doctors in Training
Engaging in ongoing negotiations between the AMA (WA) and WA Health to replace the WA Health System – Medical Practitioners – AMA Industrial Agreement 2022 (the Agreement), which expires in September 2024.
Prosecuting reports of wage theft with WA Health.
Advocating to ensure rosters are received, on time, each term and are industrially compliant.
Secured a commitment from the WA Health Director General to ensure all DiT overtime is paid.
Secured Interns and Doctors in Training orientation and training payments, which would otherwise have gone unpaid.
Continued to hold our health services to account in the areas of morale and culture, wellbeing, rosters and workload, workplace entitlements, and teaching and training through our annual Hospital Health Check survey.
Developed the Top 5 Issues and Solutions for DiTs with our DiT Practice Group, then engaged in advocacy at meetings with the Minister for Health, Chief Medical Officer and WA Health Director General.
Secured a percentage salary increase of 3 per cent in July 2023.
Worked collaboratively with North Metropolitan Health Services (NMHS), Charlies RMO Society and junior and senior doctors to develop a junior doctor manifesto, improving the working conditions for NMHS DiTs.
Established CPD Home, your convenient and comprehensive professional development home now that the Medical Board of Australia has new CPD standard requirements in place, discounted at 50 per cent for AMA (WA) members.
Benefits of being an AMA (WA) member
JOB SECURITY & SAFETY
The AMA (WA) negotiates your EBA.
EXPERT ADVICE & REPRESENTATION
Whether you’re an employee, contractor or a practice owner, members can access expert industrial relations advice and representation.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Contribute to the development of health policy and advocacy via our practice groups and help us lobby State and Federal Governments.
DISCOUNTED & FREE EVENTS
Special member rates for AMA (WA) conferences, seminars, webinars and networking events. Plus free access to financial insurance, and mortgage broking education events.
FREE POLICE MEDICAL ID CARD
An AMA (WA) and WA Police initiative, the Medical ID card is free to members for use during medical emergencies.
PUBLICATIONS & RESOURCES
Receive Medicus and Med e-link publications plus other communication resources.
FREE FINANCIAL EVENTS
Access to free financial, insurance and mortgage broking seminars and webinars.
MEMBER BENEFITS PROGRAM
Enjoy great savings on hundreds of travel, automotive, health, fitness and entertainment retailers.
FREE CPR TRAINING
Which goes towards CPD points.
CPD HOME DISCOUNTED SUBSCRIPTION
Are you a PGY3+ and not in a training program? Are you CPD home ready? Subscribe as an AMA Member to receive a 50% discount.
DISCOUNTED MEDICAL PRODUCTS
Receive discounts on online purchases of medical products including equipment, instruments and furniture. Members making regular purchases can also organise tailored discounts.+
REFER A FRIEND & SAVE
Doctors in Training are eligible for $50 membership credits for each successful referred member - save up to $200 per year. (T&Cs apply)
$100 VOUCHERS ON SELECT INSURANCE POLICIES
Receive $100 vouchers for new policies including Management Liability, Equipment Breakdown and Medical Practice Business Insurance.*
FREE PERSONALISED WEALTH REPORT
To help better understand your financial health.
FREE FINANCIAL HEALTH CHECKS
With an accredited AMA Financial Adviser
FINANCIAL PLAN DISCOUNT
Receive 5% discount on the development of a comprehensive financial plan.
TAX DEDUCTIBLE MEMBERSHIP FEE
Your AMA (WA) membership fee is tax deductible.
ADVICE SERVICE PROGRAM DISCOUNT
Receive 5% discount on fees associated with our ongoing financial planning (advice) service program.
GET UP TO $2K CASHBACK ON HOMELOANS
Members are eligible to receive up to $2K cashback on top of cash back offers from banks or lenders (T&Cs apply).
^For Terms and conditions visit www.amafinance.com.au/home-loans/cashback-offer. Refer to the bank or lender cashback terms and conditions. *This is an AMA (WA) member benefit, provided externally by preferred providers and not by AMA Insurance Brokers or AMA Financial Planning. ~Terms and conditions apply. +5% discount is available for online purchases only. Limited to one discount per transaction. Cannot be redeemed with any other promotion. For AMA Finance Broker Refer a friend T&C’s visit www.amafinance.com.au/refer-a-friend. For AMA (WA) Refer a friend T&Cs visit www.amawa.com.au/member-referral-program.
Quick Links
Hospital Health Check
With questions on morale and culture, wage theft, payslips and bullying, and a continued focus on education for career progression and access to leave, the Hospital Health Check was developed by DiTs for DiTs. The annual survey originated here in WA, back in 2015, and has since been adopted by other AMA state and territory offices.
Responses to HHC are anonymous. Furthermore, all responses are collated, analysed and reported by the AMA (WA) independent of the hospitals. All DiTs are invited to participate in the survey, and strongly encouraged to respond freely and openly. From 2023, the methodology changed to capture data by Employer/Health Service Provider (HSP), reflective that DiTs apply to work for a HSP and may be placed at multiple sites.
Results from the 2024 AMA (WA) Hospital Health Check, based on surveys completed by a record-breaking 1,100+ DiTs, found burnout continued to be a prevalent issue at most sites. Whilst some overall improvements from 2023, issues such as bullying, discrimination and harassment remain critical concerns with the majority of this behaviour going unreported.
With the data gathered from the 2024 HHC survey, the AMA (WA) and the Doctors in Training Practice Group will continue to progress and prosecute issues on your behalf, so that you can focus on patient care and your journey to specialisation.
