The reform builds on one of the College's most significant advocacy activities to date, namely the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Surgeons) Amendment Act 2023 (Qld), which was the first law to legally protect the title "surgeon" in Australia. The Act states that it is an offence for medical practitioners to use the title "surgeon" unless the practitioner has specialist registration in surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology specialist or ophthalmology, or when permitted by health ministers. It reserves the title "surgeon" to those who have undertaken accredited surgical training recognised by the Australian Medical Councill (AMC), protecting the safety of patients and public trust.
Since Queensland is the host jurisdiction of the National Law, all other states and territories must adopt the legislation. Following Queensland's amendment in September 2023, New South Wales adopted the changes through the Health Practitioner Regulation (Adoption of National Law) Regulation 2023. Western Australia followed with the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Application Act 2024 (WA). In all other jurisdictions, the provisions commenced automatically, from their existing adoption legislation, on 20 September 2023. As a result, national protection for the title "surgeon" is now in place in all jurisdictions, ensuring further transparency and consistency across Australia.
In recognising that the substituted term "surgical podiatrist" will not entirely remove the matter of confusion for patients, RACS sees it as a significant step forward in the protection of surgical standards and patient safety, as it will reinforce the College's long-held intention to ensure that the Australian public can be confident that any practitioner using the title "surgeon" will have completed rigorous, accredited specialist training.
This progress further highlights the credibility, influence and long-standing result of RACS advocacy. RACS has undertaken a decade long, sustained program to engage with ministers, regulators, and professional organisations based on evidence to achieve a national policy reform for the benefit of the profession and patients.
RACS remains committed to protecting the value of the surgical profession, maintaining public trust, and ensuring surgery in Australia is only performed by highly trained, skilled, and accountable practitioners.
Since Queensland is the host jurisdiction of the National Law, all other states and territories must adopt the legislation. Following Queensland's amendment in September 2023, New South Wales adopted the changes through the Health Practitioner Regulation (Adoption of National Law) Regulation 2023. Western Australia followed with the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Application Act 2024 (WA). In all other jurisdictions, the provisions commenced automatically, from their existing adoption legislation, on 20 September 2023. As a result, national protection for the title "surgeon" is now in place in all jurisdictions, ensuring further transparency and consistency across Australia.
In recognising that the substituted term "surgical podiatrist" will not entirely remove the matter of confusion for patients, RACS sees it as a significant step forward in the protection of surgical standards and patient safety, as it will reinforce the College's long-held intention to ensure that the Australian public can be confident that any practitioner using the title "surgeon" will have completed rigorous, accredited specialist training.
This progress further highlights the credibility, influence and long-standing result of RACS advocacy. RACS has undertaken a decade long, sustained program to engage with ministers, regulators, and professional organisations based on evidence to achieve a national policy reform for the benefit of the profession and patients.
RACS remains committed to protecting the value of the surgical profession, maintaining public trust, and ensuring surgery in Australia is only performed by highly trained, skilled, and accountable practitioners.