Apart from trying to read hospital discharge summaries, I have had little to do with junior hospital doctors for many years. 

However, of late I have been exposed to some of their problems and am appalled at the way they are being treated by both senior doctors and hospital administrators. 

My recent exposure to their problems comes through my role as an on-call GP with the NSW’s Doctors’ Health Advisory Service (DHAS). 

This article is based on my experience during the latter months of 2021 and early 2022 – mid-pandemic when hospitals had to deal with rising coronavirus cases and the knock-on disruptions to other admissions, treatment programs and discharge arrangements.