Pause

Surgeons call for pause on “risky” fast-tracking of overseas specialists
RACS has added its voice to growing calls for a pause on proposed fast-tracking of overseas-trained doctors, saying the plan is “risky” and won’t increase workforce supply where it’s needed most.

RACS has joined other Australian medical colleges in writing to the federal health minister on 11 October, asking for a rethink of the proposal.

RACS President, Associate Professor Kerin Fielding, says the College has long been advocating for targeted reforms to address healthcare shortages. However, these need to be done in a way that prioritises areas most in need, including rural locations, and uphold patient safety. The College’s concerns particularly centre on the proposal to reduce supervision time for Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs) and their lack of targeted measures to retain a rural/regional workforce.

RACS is advocating for a more strategic and transparent approach, calling on AHPRA to:
•    pause the implementation of the expedited pathways until further consultation and review can occur
•    introduce specific measures to recruit and retain surgeons in areas of critical need, both geographically and by specialty
•    ensure transparency around qualification criteria, supervision models, and assessment processes.

Read the full media release

Private hospitals

RACS calls on government to address funding shortfall for private hospitals
Surgeons and other medical specialists have expressed alarm regarding the unprecedented pressure on the nation’s hospital system. They have called for the federal government to inject more funds into the private sector to stop facilities closing and tackle soaring insurance costs.

RACS President Associate Professor Kerin Fielding told The Australian Financial Review some private hospitals were suspending unprofitable surgeries due to rising cost pressures. She hoped the government’s review would address the cost of insurance and lead to a bailout of struggling facilities.

“We would really be hoping that the government would be looking at some assistance, particularly for the regional and rural private sector, certainly looking at the remuneration from the private health funds,” Associate Professor Fielding said.

She said private health insurance has been increasing and because of these private hospitals now require larger payments for cases, resulting in patients dropping out and not seeking operations

“Private health insurance has been going up and up and because the cost of healthcare is increasing, private hospitals are requiring bigger payments for cases, and people are dropping out of the funds.”

Read more about this in the President’s Perspective and take our poll and tell us how the financial instability of private hospitals is impacting you.

Climate change

RACS takes action on climate change
RACS has recently been active on a number of fronts on climate change action. This includes coming to an agreement to work with other healthcare organisations to develop a framework for action on climate and health.

RACS, along with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare (ACSQHC), the interim Australian Centre for Disease Control (interim CDC) and other Australian medical colleges, expressed its commitment in a Joint Statement on 1 October to work together to develop low-emissions models of care. They will mobilise and support the health workforce to lead the health system’s response to climate change.

On 9 October, RACS joined calls for the Australian Government to fund feasibility studies for the electrification of nine hospitals across Australia.

The proposal, put forward by Healthy Futures, is supported by federal MPs and key medical colleges and health organisations, including RACS.

Dr Benjamin Dunne, Chair of the RACS Environmental Sustainability in Surgical Practice Working Party, said: “RACS fully endorses this proposal to develop solutions to remove fossil fuel gas supply from our hospitals. The health hazards of fossil fuels should be of great concern to all health professionals, and we must rapidly transition to renewable energy for the health of Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and worldwide.”

Health Technology

Health Technology Assessment (HTA) submission
The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Policy and Methods Review was established to examine Australia’s approach to assessing health technologies for government funding, and to deliver a report and recommendations to the Australian government.

RACS made a submission to the HTA Review, endorsing the reporting of environmental impacts and using this data in approval and reimbursement decisions for the health technology products.

Read RACS submission

In the Final Report for the Review, Recommendation 43 on Environmental impact reporting aligns with RACS recommendations in its submission.

Read the Health Technology Assessment Policy and Methods Review – Recommendations summary