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The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (�ᰮ������; the College) echoes the calls from The Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges (CPMC) and our allied medical colleges for an immediate stay on the implementation of expedited pathways for Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMGs) in Australia.

�ᰮ������ has been clear that the Medical Board Australia’s (MBA) current proposal does not adequately address the complex workforce challenges facing obstetrics and gynaecology in Australia. The College has been on the front foot in committing to the development of a specialist-specific expedited pathway which would address many of these issues. �ᰮ������ is dismayed that the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) has not heeded the calls for a reasonable pause on the rollout of its one-size-fits-all plan to allow specialist colleges to develop their own plans.

�ᰮ������ appreciates that the MBA has been given clear directions from Australia’s health ministers to proceed with this plan; however, the College is adamant that the pathway as designed will not solve the workforce issues it is designed, to tackle and will not benefit patients.

If implemented in its current form, the MBA pathway:

�ᰮ������ met with the MBA during the development of this pathway and provided extensive written advice to this effect.

�ᰮ������ supports the CPMC’s request for a pause on the implementation of the pathway which would allow for both a comprehensive reassessment and redesign of the MBA pathway, and for medical colleges to further develop their own specialty-specific pathways. Without amendment, the MBA pathway will not adequately address both maldistribution and specialty-specific shortages.

“�ᰮ������ is committed to the well-being of our patients and members and trainees,” said �ᰮ������’s President, Dr Gillian Gibson. “While the College accepts and supports the outcomes of the Kruk report, and agrees that SIMG pathways can be better organised, focus must be on maintaining high standards of care and patient safety. SIMGs must also be supported to practice across all specialties and geographical areas, and not thrown into a dysfunctional health system to eventually burn out. We owe it to both our domestically trained workforce and SIMGs coming to Australia to build a health system that supports our front-line providers throughout their careers.”

“Furthermore, �ᰮ������ is concerned that the proposed process, whereby specialists who are new to Australia are not provided with a connection to a community of their peers, denies these doctors, the best opportunity of success in a new country.”

While the MBA appears committed to proceeding with the rollout of the proposed pathway despite the calls for a pause by specialist medical colleges, �ᰮ������ will continue with the development of its own expedited pathway, with the necessary safeguards, for SIMG O&Gs.

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Bec McPhee
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bmcphee@ranzcog.edu.au
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