We encourage our Fellows, Trainees and International Medical Graduates to keep up to date via official channels including these updates, the RACS website and for Trainees to check with their RACSTA representatives.
RACS Annual Scientific Congress 2020 cancelled
We wish to thank the Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) 2020 Executive and Section Conveners for the excellent work they have done to develop an extraordinary program. We also thank the many Fellows, Trainees, International Medical Graduates and other participants who submitted abstracts.
The ASC convenors met last night, and it was agreed there will be no virtual congress. We had previously communicated that the physical congress was cancelled as a result of the Australian government’s ban on large gatherings.
The ASC office will issue formal correspondence to all presenters confirming acceptance for verbal and poster presentations.
Full ASC registration refunds will be issued to delegates who have already registered but will not include travel and accommodation costs.
Due to this year’s cancellation, to minimise our losses, we have made arrangements to hold the ASC in Melbourne (10-14 May 2021). We would like to thank our WA Fellows for their understanding and for working with our Victorian colleagues to host a much larger congress in 2021.
Exams
The RACS Fellowship Exam sitting in April-May has been postponed until further notice, as first advised on 11 March 2020. In addition, the upcoming Generic Surgical Sciences Exam (GSSE), Specialty-specific Surgical Sciences Exams (SSE) and Clinical Exam (CE) sittings in June have now been postponed until further notice. RACS will provide all exam candidates with a minimum of three months’ notice when a decision to reinstate exams has been made.
Hospital Training Post Accreditation
RACS has decided to postpone all hospital training post accreditation visits for up 12 months given the likely significant disruptions to health services across Australia and New Zealand. Where required, the RACS Specialty Training Boards will continue to work with hospitals to ensure the safety and welfare of trainees. Further details will be provided to all accredited hospitals.
Useful links
- RACS updates (includes information on exams, training, mandatory courses)
- Australian Department of Health website
- New Zealand Ministry of Health website
- Health Direct Australia