2 weeks Ago By Farid Farid
Qualifying to be a surgeon takes years of study and hard work, but that journey is even longer for desperately needed overseas-trained surgeons. or signup to continue reading Between January 2021 and July 2024, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons assessed specialist international medical graduates against standards that varied from the requirements of Medical Board of Australia - the national body which licenses medical practitioners to work. The college had measured international specialists at the level of a surgeon with five years of specialist practice, instead of a new fellow who had completed the college's advanced exams.
That impacted more than 200 international surgeons who patients could have benefited from in the workforce. They are being a given second chance to reapply. Medical Board of Australia chair Susan O'Dwyer said patient safety and medical workforce supply were both essential.
"Patients need to feel safe seeing any medical specialist in Australia and be able to get an appointment when they need one. The board is working really hard to make this happen," Dr O'Dwyer said. A major review by senior public servant Robyn Kruk examining the nation's healthcare workforce shortage noted more reforms were needed to fast-track international medical graduates practising in Australian hospitals and clinics.
In 2024, the board opened a new expedited specialist pathway for a small number of international medical graduates including GPs, anaesthetists, gynaecologists, obstetricians and psychiatrists to apply directly to it, bypassing their relevant colleges' assessment process. However, that pathway has not expanded to include surgeons. Health Minister Mark Butler said record numbers of internationally qualified doctors had been easing the burden with 5431 registered to practise in 2024.
In recent months, nurses, psychiatrists and doctors in NSW have gone on strike to protest against work conditions, maintaining that pay is low, workloads are unmanageable with an influx of patients and retention rates are abysmal. Daily Today's top stories curated by our news team. Weekdays Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation.
Weekdays Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Weekly Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Weekly Going out or staying in? Find out what's on.
Weekly Love footy? We've got all the action covered. Weekly The latest news, results & expert analysis. Weekly Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe.
Weekdays Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep.
Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Twice weekly Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. Twice weekly Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over.
Weekly Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. As it happens Be the first to know when news breaks. Daily Your digital replica of Today's Paper.
Ready to read from 5am! Daily Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement.
