Medical Deans contributes in a variety of ways to the national health policy agenda, particularly in the areas of professional entry-level medical education and training and medical research. Written submissions are an important feature of that contribution.
The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training program is an internationally recognised course developed in Australia, which has been specifically adapted for health professional students. The feedback from student participants and universities has been overwhelmingly positive, with evidence showing the training leads to improved knowledge, skills and abilities for the participants.
Medical Deans proposal supporting the need to address the maldistribution of the health workforce to increase the numbers of doctors and other health professionals living and working in rural and regional areas.
Medical Deans response to the proposed changes to the ‘Health Practitioner Regulation National Law’ as outlined in the consultation paper “Regulation of Australia’s health professions: Keeping the National Law up to date and fit for purpose” – including feedback on governance matters, strengthening linkages, voluntary undertakings, show causes matters, and right to appeal a caution.
Medical Deans made a submission to the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) consultation to inform the development of the second set of Australian Medical Research and Innovation Priorities 2018-2020.
Medical Deans is supportive of the current accreditation processes undertaken by the Australian Medical Council (AMC) which have both a quality improvement and quality assurance purpose. The submission expands on the strengths of the current approach and areas for potential improvement.
This was a joint submission developed with the Group of Eight Deans of Medical Faculties Group in response to the request for views on the assessment of the distribution of medical school places in Australia being undertaken by the Departments of Health and Education.
Many issues raised in the discussion paper have implications for medical schools and faculties. Medical Deans is limiting comments in this submission to the issues raised on the relativities between disciplines of funding clusters.
Medical Deans provided feedback to the Commonwealth on proposed revision to the rural health workforce investments. Where Medical Deans welcomes the ongoing Government initiatives to improve the geographic distribution of the health workforce, but at the same time it does not support any reduction in the funding to RCTS with the consolidation of the 3 programmes.
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Health Council has commissioned the Review of Medical Intern Training. The purpose of the Review is to examine the current medical internship model and consider potential reforms to support medical graduate transition into practice and further training and to ensure that the workforce continues to be well trained, fit for purpose and equipped to meet the changing health needs of the Australian population.
The National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (NRAS) commenced in 2010 and planned a formal review following the first three years of operation. Medical Deans has provided a submission that primarily addresses the National Scheme’s objectives of facilitation of high quality education and training and the development of a flexible, responsive and sustainable workforce.
As part of a pledge by the incoming government, the Commonwealth instituted a review into Medicare Locals which commenced in December 2013. The review is chaired by Professor John Horvath, formerly Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, and will provide its advice to the government in March 2014.
Medical Deans provided its response to the Review of Australian Government Health workforce programs.