ASMOF Demands Resolution to Study Leave Crisis
Junior doctors in New South Wales are facing significant challenges as they are denied critical study leave. This forces them to take accrued days off instead, leaving many exhausted and underprepared for mandatory exams. The Doctors Union, ASMOF, highlights the seriousness of the issue.
ADOs, or accrued days off, are typically earned by doctors who work longer rostered hours without immediate pay. These are then supposed to be taken at a later date. However, the denial of study leave is reportedly prevalent across NSW Health, with Liverpool Hospital being notably affected. Reports indicate junior medical officers are told they can’t access study leave due to too many accrued ADOs.
Dr Issac Wade, an ASMOF Councillor and doctor in training at Lismore Hospital, emphasised the importance of study leave for professional development. He stated, “Junior doctors aren’t using study leave for extra-curricular interests or a free holiday. We use it to attend educational courses, workshops, and conferences, and complete exams that directly lead to better, more evidence-informed care for our patients.”
ASMOF’s Urgent Call for Change in Study Leave Policy
ASMOF has raised concerns about the widespread practice of substituting study leave with ADOs or annual leave, arguing it cheats doctors out of their rightful entitlements. The union warns that this could lead to fewer opportunities for professional upskilling and development.
According to Dr Nicholas Spooner, President of ASMOF NSW, junior doctors are under immense strain. He said, “Junior doctors are already working excessive hours under enormous pressure, in some cases 14-hour shifts, back to back for seven days, and now they are being told they cannot take the leave they need to study and progress their careers.”
The union is urging NSW Health to reinstate proper study leave, halt the substitution with ADOs, and provide consistent guidance across Local Health Districts. This plea comes amidst a serious workforce crisis, with a shortage of doctors and increasing pressure on the health system.
ASMOF also underscored the broader implications of the issue. They noted that attempts to push doctors to use alternative leave not only undermine their immediate training but also threaten the future stability of the entire health system. Dr Spooner warned, “If we undermine the training pipeline, we undermine the future of the entire health system.”
The union is calling on NSW Health to show respect for the workforce by honoring their contracts and providing the necessary support for junior doctors to continue their professional development. With a crippling doctor shortage in NSW, ASMOF argues that addressing this issue is crucial for maintaining high standards of patient care.
Last updated: 16 April 2026, 12:49 pm
