Establishing the Chapter of Perioperative Medicine
Council approved the governance structure for the Chapter of Perioperative Medicine and approved the discontinuation of several committees and working groups once the new structure is in place. A final terms of reference of a Board of the Chapter of Perioperative Medicine will be considered by Council in September 2024.
ANZCA and College of Intensive Care Medicine (CICM) Dual Training Pathway
Council considered a detailed comparison of the ANZCA Primary Exam and the CICM First Part Exam undertaken with five recommendations developed to improve access to dual training. Council approved the recommendations for implementation. ANZCA and CICM plan to have the dual training program ready to implement in 2026.
Educators Academy
ANZCA is progressing a body of work to support our supervisors of training in recognition of the huge amount of work they do.
Guidelines for ANZCA contributions to partnership grants
Council noted that partnering in National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grants is a strategic investment, however, to enhance multidisciplinary research in anaesthesia, pain medicine or perioperative medicine a formal policy/guideline is required for future requests, and the application process needs to duly follow the ANZCA peer-review process. A set of mandatory guidelines for partnership grants were approved
2025 and 2026 Annual Scientific Meetings
Cairns 2025
Council approved Professor Alana Flexman as the new ASM visitor following the unfortunate withdrawal of previously appointed visitor Dr Fiona Kelly.
A/Professor David Sturgess takes up the role as councillor-in-residence and councillor on the Cairns Regional Organising Committee.
Auckland 2026
Dr Kerry Benson-Cooper was approved as the convenor and Dr Marta Seretny as scientific convenor.
Dr Sally Ure was appointed as the councillor-in-residence and councillor on the New Zealand National Organising Committee
Professional documents
Council approved professional documents CP23 Policy for Professional Document Framework and CP24 Professional Document Process and accompanying background papers each for a four-month pilot period.
Regulations 30 and 31 – Reconsideration, Review and Appeals
Regulations 30 and 31 have been combined with additional information to ensure that ANZCA has firm processes in place for responding to, and managing requests for reconsideration, reviews and appeals. The new policy has undergone a consultation process with several college committees and the FPM Board as well as legal advice obtained throughout the consultation process. Council approved the new Reconsideration, Review and Appeals Policy.
Design of the IT processes to support submission of applications is underway. Communication to fellows about the new process is expected during November 2024.
Council approved the 2025 budget parameters which provide a framework in preparation of the annual budget. The 2025 budget will be considered by council at its November 2025 meeting.
Council noted the workforce reform landscape continues to get increasingly more complicated with several new workforce reforms announced or commenced in the past few months. ANZCA continues to engage in these reforms, noting it is taking significant resources and time, and many of the reforms and who/which body is leading them seem to be overlapping at times. Please read my recent message to fellows, trainees and specialist international medical graduates (SIMGs) on our workforce challenges.