Proposal to change the protected title for podiatric surgery
In a submission to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra), RACS expressed its opposition to the proposal to change the protected title for podiatric surgery to ’surgical podiatrist‘. This is due to the concerns relating to public safety and clarity for consumers and professional standards.

RACS maintains that terms such as ’surgical‘ or ’surgeon‘ should be reserved for those who have had comprehensive surgical training. This is similar to what medical specialists must undergo, so that patients are not misled regarding qualifications and expertise. RACS suggests the use of the term ’procedural podiatrist’ that may define the scope of the podiatric practice without creating in patients’ minds a notion of the extent to which a practitioner has obtained training. The Australian Orthopaedic Association agreed to co-brand the submission and was pleased with RACS efforts.
Read submission.

Department of Health and Aged Care: Safe and Responsible Artificial Intelligence in Health Care – Legislation and Regulation Review
RACS made a submission to the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care’s Legislation Review. It emphasised the need for a robust regulatory framework to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into healthcare safely. RACS acknowledges AI’s potential to improve clinical outcomes but highlights concerns about patient safety and data security. It also raises issues with bias in AI datasets, environmental impacts, and professional liability for AI-related errors. RACS calls for a flexible framework to match AI’s rapid advancement and ensure accountability in surgical applications.
Read submission.

Department of Health and Aged Care, Therapeutic Goods Administration, regarding consultation on: Clarifying and Strengthening the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence
RACS made a submission to the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care, encouraging support for strong regulation of AI in surgery by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). RACS said that while AI can make marked improvements to surgical outcomes, there were many challenges related to the ‘black box’ nature of AI, data privacy, possible biases, and accountability. Considering the current limitations of Australian legislation to address AI-specific challenges in health, RACS calls for amendment to the Therapeutic Goods Act to classify and monitor AI as a medical device.
Read submission.

Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce – Scope of Practice Review
The Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce – Scope of Practice Review is an independent examination undertaken by the Department of Health and Aged Care. It delves into the evidence surrounding the benefits, risks and factors that enable or hinder primary healthcare practitioners from fully using their skills.

After more than 12 months of consultation and research, independent reviewer Professor Mark Cormack delivered the final report for the Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce Scope of Practice Review to the government on 30 October 2024.

The final report proposes 18 recommendations across four themes:
1.    Workforce design, development, education and planning
2.    Legislation and regulation
3.    Funding and payment policy
4.    Enablers and other key considerations.

The Health Policy and Advocacy Committee is currently working on a response to the report.

Read the final report.