Copy
Dear <<First Name>>

 

Welcome to 2021! With vaccinations on the way, it looks like there’s light at the end of the COVID tunnel. The Queensland State Committee has been looking at the following issues with Government:

Outsourcing of elective surgery impact on surgical training
The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented impost on health funding. With the apparent resultant moratoriums on public health expansion, recruitment and building, the government is considering continuing and expanding private outsourcing of elective procedural work for the medium to long term. Apart from the already known risks in continuity of patient care; the other main issue for our College is this will result in decreased training opportunities for surgical training.  RACS wants to act in partnership with Qld Health to overcome issues in allowing trainees to access public patients in private facilities including medicolegal obligations, employment contracts, workers compensation and medical liability arrangements, rostering and perioperative care responsibilities. Training will need to occur whilst maintaining efficiencies of private perioperative flow.
 
Performance Indicators (KPI) for emergency surgery
Hospital and Health Service Executives have a KPI on elective surgery emanating from NEST targets. There is no KPI for emergency or trauma surgery. This is a recurring source of frustration to surgeons and an economic disruptor, as public patients requiring emergency surgery wait days to access emergency lists. Not adequately resourcing for emergency surgery often results in increased complications and fatigue for surgeons and registrars.  Recent studies in Queensland have shown that a consultant led emergency service with adequate daytime lists leads to improved throughput, decreased Length of Stay and decreased complications; which then has a positive effect on theatre efficiency for elective surgery lists and greater surgical satisfaction with less overtime. Additionally, there is improved supervision of training registrars with emergent surgery in daylight hours.
  
SOSS program and Alignment with Rural Health Equity Action Plan.
The SOSS program is being developed with Qld Health (Health Improvement Unit) by Dr Sanjeev Naidu with support of the Qld State Committee RACS. Dr Naidu has presented this program to the RACS Rural Section and Dr Bridget Clancy Chair of the Rural Section of RACS has recently shared the Rural Health Equity Action Plan with the State Committee. It is agreed that these two programs are very well aligned in tackling how to deliver equity of surgical services to remote and rural areas via a collaborative links to support rural surgeons within specialty services, as well improving the rural pipeline from medical school through surgical training.
 
QLD Training Colleges Forum with Qld Health
I am always deeply concerned about the effect of professionalism and culture on our patients, our teams and each other. Despite official attempts to only define negative culture in terms of people behaving badly, we know it is more than that one aspect. Respect for work ethic and dedication have always been important to surgeons.  The easiest way to disrespect a surgeon working long hours to care for their patients is to imply they don’t work hard enough, or they don’t deserve fair reimbursement. More disrespectful is to tell surgeons putting in pro bono time to teach or be involved in defending surgical standards on college committees, is to tell them the economy level reimbursement for flights, travel and meals should be approved on the “gifts and benefits” registry. This is what happened last week at a meeting of EDMS (“medical superintendents”) with HR representatives. To the FRACMAs it may be merely extra paperwork. Not understanding that freely giving up your weekends, evenings, private practice or family time, to help educate and maintain standards, is not ever to be construed as a “personal benefit” at the same level as declaring you have received business class flights from a prosthetic or drug company to attend a conference, or sponsorship from a private firm.  Respect is a two-way process and underpins culture. I will be explaining this at length at the Training Colleges with Qld Health, as I am sure other regional chairs will be doing.
 
With these key issues for our Queensland surgeons we have decided on the theme for this year’s Biennial Qld State Meeting to be “Urgent Surgery: Is Qld Ready?”. This is to be held on the Sunshine Coast following QASM annual meeting, the Surgical Directors Meeting and Surgical Advisory Forum in November. We expect presentations and panels to discuss the ability to resource and provide urgent surgery in rural areas, in large metropolitan areas and what that might look in the future with the challenges of subspecialisation in post-fellowships and the impost of after-hour rosters on fatigue and lifestyle. We will explore how emergency and trauma surgery provision effects training and planning future surgical careers (medical students!).  Lastly, we will debate how urgent surgical outcomes are affected by professionalism and resources. We look forward to everyone joining us in Noosa to share their ideas across all the specialities - hopefully in a post vaccinated world.


Adjunct Professor Deborah Bailey
Chair Queensland State Committee
2020 Continuing Professional Development 
due by 28 February 2021
 
2020 CPD activities should be entered in CPD online no later than 28 February 2021. If you require assistance or have any concerns about meeting your CPD requirements this year, please contact the CPD Team on +61 3 9249 1282 or cpd.college@surgeons.org to discuss ways we can help.  

Exciting changes are coming to RACS in 2021, with a new and personalised CPD Program and online Portfolio. The ‘CPD Roadmap’ provides a high-level overview of the key changes for 2020/2021. Have a look at the website for more information and updates on CPD.
New CPD Program Update 

As we transition to the new program, there will be a condensed CPD requirement from January – June 2021 which will involve participating in two out of three activities:

You will not need to enter your CPD participation during this time, with your participation automatically updated on your behalf. 

For more information about the interim program and changes from 1 July, please visit the RACS website, look out for updates in Fax Mentis or browse the November/December issue of Surgical News (pg. 48).
International Women’s Day Lunch
#ChooseToChallenge

Join us for complementary nibbles and drinks in conjunction with 2021 International Women’s Day. Enjoy listening to insightful speeches from experienced female surgeons on succeeding as a woman in surgery.

Time: 10am - 2pm
Date: Saturday 13 March 2021
Venue: Customs House

Gold Coast and Cairns - TBC

Please RSVP by 8 March 2021 and advise of any dietary requirements. 


Register Now to secure a spot!
elly.mannetje@surgeons.org
RACS ASC
 
RACS Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) 2021 registrations are now open!

The RACS Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) 2021 will be held in in Melbourne, Australia on 10-14 May 2021.

The RACS ASC 2021 will have the theme of ‘Celebrating the art of surgery in a time of disruption'. It combines the science of medicine with the creative elements required to become a great surgeon. The theme also celebrates the important contribution to the arts by surgeons, who continue to excel not only with a scalpel but also in music, painting, design, sculpture, writing and other creative pursuits.

In response to COVID-19 restrictions and with a desire to ensure the wellbeing of all attendees, RACS is planning something new and innovative for 2021. A hybrid meeting – a combination of virtual and physical elements – with the possibility of attending the hub of your choice around Australia, depending on restrictions.

The RACS ASC is the largest multi-disciplinary surgical meeting held in Australia and New Zealand.

Visit https://asc.surgeons.org/ to download the provisional program, register and  keep up to date with news about the event.  #RACS21

Creating Healthcare Cultures of Safety & Respect
 
RACS has been working with St Vincents Health Australia, Macquarie University and RACMA to mount a virtual health care summit, called Creating Healthcare Cultures of Safety and Respect.

This upcoming virtual conference is suited to professionals working to achieve cultural change in healthcare.

Register Now!
The Program
 
The conference will explore the scale of unprofessional conduct, its impact on patient safety, evidence based interventions and approaches for change.  Over an afternoon and morning on April 22 and 23, it will be facilitated by Dr Melissa Sweet (Croakey Health Media) and feature keynote speakers Professor Russell Mannion (University of Birmingham) and Professor Gerald Hickson (Vanderbilt University Medical Centre). Details are included on the attached agenda.
The 2021 State Conference
 
The State Conference will be held at Noosa 20th - 21st November 2021. Please reserve the date in your calendar and we hope registration will open in April 2021. Sessions will include the following:
  • Planning (QHealth/directors of surgery)
  • KPI (QHealth /directors of surgery)
  • Resources – theatre, anaesthetists, surgeons
  • Generalism in surgery – training/college
  • Trauma/Emergency Surgery
  • Rural issues - RACS Rural Health Action Plan and SOSS Program
  • Medical student – work life balance versus acute surgery provision in the future
  • Trainees – fatigue, supervision, flexible training impacts strategy/supervision in training afterhours/quality
Save the Date
 
The RACS ASC Committee of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons will be holding the ASC 2021 in a hybrid forma.

Sessions will be streamed from the Melbourne Exhibition Centre to hubs throughout Australia and New Zealand. RACS Queensland will host a hub at the College’s Office at Kangaroo Point. The following areas of interest will be streamed into the Queensland Office.
  • Plenary sessions from Tuesday to Friday
  • Trauma
  • Global Health
  • Surgical Education
  • Surgical Trainee
  • Rural Surgery 
Please view the program here.

You will need to register as a virtual attendee and email the Queensland College at elly.mannetje@surgeons.org to advise of your attendance at the Office Hub. Remebering Fellows and Trainees can form a hub anywhere. 
Order your RACS 2021 Diary
The attractive leather cover pocket size diary is complimentary to RACS members until stocks last. Contact admin.qld@surgeons.org

"Doctor, I'm here for a second opinion"
Avant Mutual Sponsor Update

 
Patients commonly present to doctors seeking ‘second opinions,’ but the term is often misunderstood and can lead to medico-legal consequences if the consultation is not managed appropriately.

Dr Sean Mackay, MBBS, MD, FRACS, Upper GIT, HPB and Bariatric Surgeon, Senior Lecturer, Eastern Health Clinical School provides a commentary on this sometimes confusing topic. 

Check out the
full article at www.avant.org.au

The Benefits of Testamentary and Super Proceeds Trusts
 
As a surgeon, one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family and maximise your assets upon your passing, is to include testamentary trusts and super proceeds trusts in your will.  Lawyers, Robert Lamb and Caitlyn Wessels from Hillhouse Legal Partners detail how your estate can be planned in a way to ensure your family is well cared for financially and your assets are protected.

To find the full article, please see
here

Substantial Income Protection Policy Changes are On The Way

 
There are major changes at play for all new income protection policies due to recent regulatory intervention by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority. Personal Risk Manager and Advisor, Kirby Jamieson from Walshs, explains the implications of the future changes for surgeons.

Read the full article here. 


 
Surgeons wellbeing
RACS encourages all surgeons to recognise and discuss any challenges facing them and to ensure self care is part of managing professional life.
Check out our support program and resources
Member advantage
Fellows and Trainees of the College can access exclusive discounts on a range of quality lifestyle products and financial services through the RACS Member Advantage benefit program.
Further information
JDocs
Prevocational doctors can subscribe to an ePortfolio and educational resources that have been designed to support the Framework and promote flexible online self-directed learning.
Subscribe to JDocs
SimuSurg app
Experience a virtual operative environment to refine your operating skills. The app created by surgeons for surgeons simulates minimally invasive surgery.

Download SimuSurg via the
App Store or Google Play.
Speak Up app
RACS' new app can assist surgeons to comfortably address unacceptable behaviour using the Vanderbilt model, from the Operating with Respect (OWR) course.

Download the app via the App Store or Google Play.
Converge
Confidential support services are available for College members and their immediate family or household members. Experienced counsellors are available to speak with you about personal or work related matters.
More information

Professor Deborah Bailey
Chair
Queensland State Committee
RACS Queensland webpage
RACS Queensland Email
RACS Twitter
RACS Facebook
RACS YouTube
LinkedIn
Copyright © 2021 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, All rights reserved.


The College privacy policy and disclaimer apply – www.surgeons.org
Statements and information featured are not necessarily the views of the College. Advertisements and products advertised are not endorsed by the College in any way.The advertiser takes full responsibility for representations and claims made.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp