In This Section

What we have done

RACS 2015 Action Plan: Building Respect, Improving Patient Safety, continues to guide our work. The plan responded directly to the work during that year of an Expert Advisory Group (EAG), set up to investigate discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment in surgery. The work of the EAG was exhaustive and wide ranging. Their final report included detailed recommendations that has guided RACS’ efforts ever since.

Our Action Plan sets out RACS long term program of work that aims to change the culture of surgery and support our Fellows, Trainees and International Medical Graduates to operate with respect.

Our Diversity Plan sets out our commitments to support diversity in the profession. It outlines what we are doing so that, in time, our profession reflects the varied communities we are part of.

Our Progress Reports outline the work we have done each year to implement the Action Plan and build a culture of respect in surgery.

The work of the Expert Advisory Group is a continuing reference point. Read in this section about the research commissioned by the EAG, the prevalence survey and other research that revealed the extent of unprofessional behaviour in surgery, the Issues Paper that focused discussion of the problems that RACS needed to address and other background.

The evidence linking unprofessional behaviour and increased risk to patient safety continues to strengthen. Other resources and publications continue to inform our efforts and ensure these are evidence based and rigorous.