Promoting diversity and inclusion

Our work to support diversity in the profession continues, guided by the RACS Diversity and Inclusion Plan. Our profession will be strengthened by our ongoing efforts to ensure our surgical workforce reflects the diverse communities we serve.

RACS committed to developing the plan in our Action Plan: Building Respect, Improving Patient Safety. It addresses goal four of the Action Plan, which is to embrace diversity and foster gender equity. The RACS Diversity and Inclusion Plan (PDF 857.21KB) applies across all RACS operations.

The Reconciliation Action Plan (Australia) and Māori Health Action Plan (New Zealand) set out RACS vision to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori patients in Australia and New Zealand. Implementing the plans well relies on effective partnerships with the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association, Te Ohu Rata o Aotearoa (Māori Medical Practitioners Association), the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation and Leaders in Indigenous Medical Education.

In 2019, we conducted a review of progress against the Diversity and Inclusion plan, with pleasing results. The 2019 Progress Update (PDF 4.12MB) presents the work underway to increase diversity in our profession. Work towards the achievement of the goals and objectives in this plan will continue.

While women account for 55 per cent of graduating medical students, in 2018 they made up only 33 per cent of applicants to surgical training. RACS continues to commission research to deepen our understanding of the barriers to women entering surgery.