Ms Cathy Ferguson, Vice President at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, says that enabling a more flexible workforce, ensuring the sustainability of healthcare and increasing and strengthening our Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori specialists are just a few of the priorities that the College will be advocating for in the coming year.
According to Ms Cathy Ferguson, Otolaryngologist Head & Neck Surgeon from Wellington, New Zealand, advocacy in surgery is undertaken on behalf of the wider community we serve as well as on behalf of the Fellows themselves.
"We need to explore ways that we can work together more effectively with both government and the community to enhance RACS' vision of leading surgical performance, professionalism and improving patient care," she said.
Also on RACS' advocacy agenda next year, will be a focus on the management of trauma, national road safety as well as the public perception of surgeons.
Ms Cathy Ferguson will be presenting Advocacy in surgery - how do we make a difference? at this year's ACT Annual Scientific Meeting on Saturday 27 October. The annual event, centred on the role of surgeons in health advocacy, will include a number of presentations from both national and international speakers and will attract more than 100 Fellows, Trainees, and International Medical Graduates.
Joining delegates this year will be ACT Minister for Health Meegan Fitzharris who will share her views on how surgeons can meaningfully progress improvements in healthcare, and better collaboration between administrators and clinicians.
Sponsors include (Gold) Medtronic, and (Silver) Applied Medical, Bank of Queensland, Getinge, KCI Medical, MDA National and Sanofi.
Hosted by the ACT branch of RACS, this event will be held at the Australian National University Medical School in Garran.