RACS advocates for equity in surgery

On 20 November 2024, RACS presented on Current surgical perspectives of the current challenges in health care and regulation in Australia at the Members Health Fund Alliance (MHFA) General Meeting in Sydney.

The MHFA is a not-for-profit group representing health insurers covering military personnel, police and other public servants with more than five million members.

Speaking at the event, RACS CEO Stephanie Clota and Health Policy and Advocacy Committee (HPAC) chair, Professor Mark Frydenberg, spoke on the increasing challenges posed by the post-COVID-19 healthcare landscape. These include workforce shortages, variability in private hospital admissions, and access disparities, particularly in rural areas. 

Equitable access to surgical care and cost-effectiveness of the health system were areas of priority. Rising healthcare costs, workforce pressures and increasing living expenses are affecting patients, surgeons and insurers alike, and the presenters called for sustainable funding and policy frameworks.

Multi-college working group on climate change and health

The RACS Environmental Sustainability in Surgical Practice Working Party (ESSPWP) is taking part in a working group on climate change and health.

The working group plans to develop a framework for collaborative action on climate and health including meaningful and demonstrable actions to:

•    develop low-emissions models of care, including actions to improve care, minimise wasteful healthcare, and involve patients in decisions about appropriate care

•    mobilise and support the health workforce to lead the health system response to climate change.

RACS calls for pause on proposed fast-track registration of overseas-trained doctors

RACS joined other medical colleges in calling for a pause on proposed fast-tracking of overseas-trained doctors. 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.

RACS welcomes joint statement on family violence by regulators of health practitioners

RACS welcomes the recent joint statement, developed and endorsed by health regulators, sending a strong message that family violence is unacceptable. Health practitioners are often the first point of contact for people experiencing family violence and their conduct must reflect the trust and confidence that the public places in them.

RACS calls for resumption of negotiations in private health funding dispute

Australian national private hospital operator Healthscope announced that from 26 November 2024, it would begin charging an out-of-pocket fee to Bupa and Australian Health Service Alliance members in its 38 hospitals after failing to reach an agreement with the funds. RACS called for an immediate resumption of negotiations between Healthscope and private health funds, to avoid out-of-pocket price escalations for patients.

Surgeons demand meaningful action for health reform following appointment of new Health Minister in Aotearoa New Zealand

RACS says the appointment of a new health minister is not enough to solve the deep-rooted issues facing the healthcare system in Aotearoa New Zealand. “If the new Minister doesn’t receive the support – and funding – he needs, he will face the same challenges as his predecessors. We risk being back here having this same conversation about the challenges in health this time next year,” says Dr Ros Pochin, Nelson breast surgeon and chair of the RACS Aotearoa New Zealand National Committee.

RACS meets with Health Minister Mark Butler to discuss Scope of Practice Review

On 29 January 2025, RACS President Associate Professor Kerin Fielding, Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Clota, and Vice President Professor Owen Ung met with the Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care. During the meeting, RACS expressed its concerns regarding issues that have developed around the Scope of Practice Review. These include risks to profession-led governance, title protections, rural workforce shortages, standards around supervision and marginalisation of the surgical specialties.