RACS responds to shortage of intravenous fluid products

RACS is closely monitoring global shortages of multiple intravenous (IV) fluid products and its impact on healthcare offerings across Australia. IV fluids, in short supply, are saline and Hartmann’s solution. They are provided by three approved Australian suppliers: Baxter Healthcare, B.Braun and Fresenius Kabi.

According to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), ‘the shortages are due to multiple factors including global supply limitations, unexpected increases in demand, and manufacturing issues’.

In the wake of the shortages, many hospitals have been forced to conserve their limited supply. If rationing doesn't preserve sufficient IV fluids required for surgical procedures, hospitals may need to halt non-urgent elective surgical operations and admitting patients.

We applaud measures undertaken by the TGA to address the shortage, including approving the importation of alternative, overseas-registered saline fluids. We join calls by the Australian Medical Association (AMA) for the government to act now to develop a national strategy to strengthen Australia’s medical supply pipeline.

Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Aphra) and the National Boards gain new power to issue interim prohibition orders 

On 1 July 2024, Ahpra and the National Boards gained the power to issue interim prohibition orders (IPOs). This new power allows Ahpra and the National Boards to issue IPOs to unregistered practitioners, or to practitioners whose registration has lapsed or been suspended (provided the threshold is met). Read more.

This was the culmination of a targeted consultation process, which included RACS providing its feedback in September 2023. The draft wording for a new chapter on IPOs in the Regulatory Guide was predominantly supported by RACS and noted that it largely addressed unregistered practitioners and/or those providing surgical services and calling themselves ‘surgeons’ against the National Law. 

 Ahpra consultation on the review of criminal history registration standards

In February 2023, Ahpra outlined a blueprint to strengthen public safety with a focus on sexual misconduct in healthcare. To improve its handling of sexual boundary matters, Ahpra and National Boards conducted a public review in late 2023 of the Criminal History registration standards, which applies to all registered health practitioners. 

After consideration of all feedback, Ahpra developed a draft Criminal history registration standard and new supporting materials and invited relevant organisations to have their say on the draft Criminal history registration standard and supporting documents. RACS submittted a response.

NSW Health Net Zero Roadmap Consultation

RACS was invited to attend a consultation session facilitated by NSW Health staff earlier this year. The session included a summary of the Net Zero Roadmap and details on healthcare priorities. The Net Zero Roadmap 2024-2030 sets the direction and priority areas for NSW Health for the next six years, providing a blueprint for achieving the NSW government’s net zero targets. The NSW Government’s Climate Change (Net Zero Future) Act 2023 legislates net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, including a 50 per cent reduction by 2030, and a 70 per cent reduction by 2035 (based on 2005 GHG emissions).

Participants took part in interactive polls and roundtable discussions focusing on what is working well, what more could be done, and what barriers need to be overcome to achieve net zero.

With operating theatres typically being the most resource-intensive area of a hospital and a major contributor of waste, minimising the carbon footprint of surgical operations is crucial in supporting the transition to a low carbon, low waste, climate resilient health system. This is one of the key areas of focus for RACS Environmental Sustainability in Surgical Practice Working Party (ESSPWP).

Department of Health and Climate Strategy roundtable

RACS president Associate Professor Kerin Fielding and ESSPWP chair, Dr Ben Dunne attended this roundtable discussion on 28 June alongside representatives from specialist medical colleges and government agencies. Participants heard from the Department of Health on the National Health and Climate Strategy and its priorities for the next five years. There was also a discussion of the joint statement endorsed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality of Health Care, the interim Australian Centre for Disease Control and Australian medical colleges on Working together to achieve sustainable high-quality healthcare in a changing climate.

Australia & New Zealand Metabolic and Obesity Surgery Society workshop

On 20 July, RACS Councillor and Chair of Professional Standards and Fellowship Services Committee Dr Christine Lai, presented at the Australian & New Zealand Metabolic and Obesity Surgery Society (ANZMOSS) workshop—Surgery and the medicolegal crisis in Sydney.

It was an informative day, with several medical organisations and law firms attending including Avant, the Australian Medical Association and Kennedy Lawyers.

Dr Lai’s presentation was on ‘Addressing the sustainability issues in bariatric surgery in Australia’. It focused on the increasing demand for bariatric surgery in Australia, the significant medicolegal challenges associated with it, and recommendations to enhance surgical safety, patient outcomes, and the sustainability of bariatric surgery practices.