One year on from a major restructure of the healthcare system in Aotearoa New Zealand (AoNZ), surgeons will have the opportunity to come together in the nation’s capital and take stock of the reforms.

RACS AoNZ Annual Surgeons’ Meeting (ASM), Surgery 2023: Surgical care in health system change, seeks to understand the direction in which the health reforms are moving, how they can address the key issues facing the healthcare system, and what role surgeons can play in leading change. 

A highlight of the College calendar in Aotearoa, the ASM will run from Thursday 31 August to Friday 1 September.

Co-conveners Drs Chris Adams and Nigel Willis and Professor Sean Galvin are hoping for record attendance in an event that offers both in person and virtual registration.

Among the speaker line-up are AoNZ health bosses and several surgeons who are at the forefront of change. 

There will also be an opportunity to learn from overseas experiences from speakers including Sir Malcolm Grant—a barrister, academic lawyer, former law professor, and past Chair of NHS England.

One of the keynote speakers is Dr Diana Sarfati, Director-General of Health and a public health physician and health services researcher. She will discuss the vision for a reformed health system in Aotearoa New Zealand.

A highlight will also include Dr Victoria Atkinson, a cardiothoracic surgeon who has combined her clinical knowledge with an executive career. She is currently the Chief Medical Officer for the Australian private hospital provider, Healthscope. She will offer lessons in health system change and the leadership roles surgeons can play. 

Also on the program is Dr Lloyd McCann, Chief Executive of Mercy Radiology and Clinics and an advocate for equity in health, value-based care, and improved use of digital technologies. Dr McCann will talk about enablers of contemporary surgical care.

Find out more about Surgery 2023. Check out the full program and register now.