Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) has one of the largest cohorts of Junior Doctors in England, employing approximately 1,000 at any one time. Rotations occur every 4-12 months, before Juniors move to neighbouring trusts for further training.

LTHT’s Chief Registrar chairs the Junior Doctor Body (JDB), a group of Junior Doctors, that meet virtually, monthly, representing each Clinical Service Unit and grade of Junior (Foundation Year to Registrar). The aim of the JDB is to increase communication between LTHT’s Executive Team and Junior Doctors, who quite often do not feel a sense of belonging with their employer due to the short nature of employment.

In 2020/21, the JDB increased from 12 members, to 32, through a targeted communications campaign by the Chief Registrar. The inclusion of our Professional Support Unit helped highlight health and wellbeing resources for Junior Doctors within LTHT. This safe space allowed discussion of issues important to Junior Doctors, including: adequate rest facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic, refreshments, annual leave and impact of COVID on training opportunities and progression.

Each month, JDB reps were able to highlight any issues within their department that were not solved locally. Opportunities were cascaded to help juniors continue to meet training needs, including: quality improvement training and participation in collaboratives, COVID-19 vaccination research, and the chance to create educational resources in the correct use of personal protective equipment.

Executive Team members delivered talks on inclusion and diversity, patient safety and their career journeys; keen to ask for feedback to further make LTHT the very best place to train. Issues were able to be solved immediately within JDB meetings, helping Junior Doctors feel appreciated and respected; boosting morale during what has been a difficult year. We encourage all trusts to replicate the JDB model to boost morale nationally.