RANZCOG President Dr Benjamin Bopp has written to governments across Australia advocating for improved trainee leave entitlements.

In a letter to state and territory health ministers across Australia, Dr Bopp seeks support in making trainee leave entitlements transferable between all hospitals and other training sites (public and private).

“Doctors in training have finite terms at accredited training sites, meaning they have few opportunities to accrue personal, annual and long service leave, and meet the eligibility requirements for parental leave,” Dr Bopp writes. “Allowing trainees to transfer their leave between public hospital sites, and removing qualifying periods for parental leave, will contribute to a safer working environment, gender equity, improve patient safety, and assist in alleviating workforce burnout. We also encourage you to consider allowing for continuity of parental leave between training sites.”

Dr Bopp urged the health ministers to discuss this issue at the next the Health Ministers Meeting.