Testimonials and success stories

Education and training at SALHN

  • Fantastic - I have had a fantastic educational experience across my rotations.
  • Excellent support for medical training
  • Good support receives from every layers of supervision. Good training
  • Plenty of self-directed learning/teaching
  • Excellent clinical support & teaching provided by the EM and PEM specialists
  • The Emergency Department (BOTH FMC AND NHS) stands out as clear leaders in supervision, teaching, resident engagement and good workplace culture.
  • An excellent year long teaching program.

Support at SALHN

  • I always felt very supported during my time in SALHN, and notable departments include Noarlunga ED (amazing teaching and education) as well as Cardiology, and Chronic Pain.
  • Always supported and seniors are always available to help
  • The General Surgery teams at SALHN have been fantastic to work in, and with. I have received appropriate clinical supervision at all times
  • I felt very supported as a junior doctor and new parent.
  • Well-structured and supported regularly with close supervision and guidance
  • Very supportive consultants and team in palliative care service

Overall benefit of working at SALHN

  • Fantastic supervision. Individual dependent of course - but overall FMC is great.
  • I felt well supported throughout my time at SALHN and was given ample opportunity to learn.
  • I was treated with respect, listened to, given honest advice as a way to improve my capabilities further
  • PMU is a good unit to work and gain experience
  • FMC is great, I have learned a lot and had a great time here.
  • Overall very expert staff and very skilled and professional. But very busy environment
  • I have progressed significantly during my time here at FMC, from both a technical and non-technical skill perspective. I am grateful
  • Excellent experience as an IMG in specialist in training
  • Overall it was a great exposure, the staff is wonderful and very skilled
  • Increased confidence, new and deeper understanding of upper limb problems especially trauma related
  • Overall taught me a lot about my own priorities and what I am willing to stand for/let go, opportunity to stand up for myself and make changes in my own interest

Professional development fund

As part of your employment, you have access to a professional development fund and leave entitlements. The fund's value is calculated depending on your individual circumstances, such as your contracted hours of employment, enrolment in an accredited college training program etc. Specific instructions regarding professional development entitlements can be found in the SA Health Salaried Medical Officer Enterprise Agreement.

Professional development rates

Medical Practitioners can receive up to per annum:

In a college accredited training program $8,500 or approximately £4,000

Not in a college accredited training program $4,500 or approximately £2,000

For more information visit SA Health Salaried Medical Officers Enterprise Agreement.

Training facility environment

In the Flinders Medical Centre campus, there are several state-of-the-art simulation labs tailored to enhance clinical education. These labs serve as invaluable resources for healthcare professionals in training. Some are strategically located near the clinical environment, like the Anaesthetics lab, providing a seamless transition from simulation to real-world patient care scenarios. Additionally, there are dedicated teaching spaces closely linked with Flinders University, fostering a dynamic synergy between academic learning and practical skill development. As part of our educational programs, we fully embrace the power of simulation training to prepare you comprehensively for the demands of your clinical role. When you join us, you can expect these cutting-edge simulation opportunities to play a pivotal role in your training, equipping you with the proficiency and confidence required for excellence in healthcare practice.

Medical Officer Engagement

We place a significant emphasis on engaging with medical staff throughout the entire training continuum and beyond. At SALHN we have numerus opportunities. These forums, which are medical-specific, not only offer opportunities for active participation but also play a supporting role in career development and advancement:

Medical Education and Training Committee: This committee represents prevocational doctors and serves as a dedicated forum for addressing issues pertinent to education and training. It includes representation from all divisions within SALHN. Interns and Postgraduate year 2+ doctors have membership on the committee.

The primary objective of this committee is to enhance prevocational medical education and training throughout SALHN, addressing any arising issues, and promoting open dialogue for continuous improvement. It is occasionally called upon to provide feedback on more generic education and training matters, including mandatory training requirements for TMOs.

Junior Medical Advisory Council: This forum is all-encompassing and is overseen by a junior consultant. The range of discussion topics is broad, including workforce, education, training, physical and digital facilities, quality improvement, and more. The forum frequently hosts guest speakers who actively seek firsthand feedback and insights from our junior medical workforce. Participating in this forum offers a distinctive opportunity to shape outcomes within the organisation, gain valuable insights into hospital management, and much more. From time to time, the Chief Executive will be invited to attend, providing an excellent opportunity for direct interaction with top leadership, facilitating open communication, and fostering a deeper understanding of the organisation's strategic vision and decision-making processes.

RMO society: This medical officer-led organisation is open to all prevocational trainees at SALHN and coordinates a social calendar (including an annual gala ball), provides a chance to meet fellow trainees, and a voice for junior trainees across the network.

Medical Advisory Council: Much like the Junior Medical Advisory Council, the Medical Advisory Council is a key platform for medical staff engagement. However, this forum is distinct in that it caters to senior medical officers, including Divisional Directors, Heads of Units, and senior consultant staff. This representation ensures a wealth of experience and expertise. A TMO representative is a relatively new inclusion and an opportunity to link with senior colleagues.

The Medical Advisory Council holds a slightly more prominent role in decision-making, including voting on policies and procedures. It offers a unique opportunity to actively influence and shape the direction of SALHN, taking part in crucial decision-making processes that impact the medical community and the quality of patient care.

Head of Unit Forum: Our Head of Unit forum is a platform for addressing current and relevant issues. It connects experienced peers who share insights, exchange ideas, and engage in mutual learning. This forum fosters a supportive community of like-minded individuals who hold pivotal leadership roles within SALHN. Aspiring medical leaders can access mentorship, guidance, and a professional network dedicated to enhancing the medical workforce and healthcare delivery within SALHN. It's a space where critical leadership roles are nurtured, contributing to the betterment of the medical community and patient care.

Training and support structures

SALHN takes pride in fostering a supportive culture with a strong emphasis on continuous improvement. We proactively seek ways to enhance the training experience, firmly believing that it is intricately connected to a resilient medical workforce that not only remains but also flourishes, ultimately delivering the best possible outcomes for our community. This achievement is made possible by the support structures we have in place and the Office for the Executive Director Medical Services.

Under the guidance of our Executive Director of Medical Service, the Office of the EDMS acts as a mechanism for the ongoing development of the medical workforce, education, and training.