Regulations
Faculty of Pain Medicine
Australian and New Zealand
College of Anaesthetists
ABN 82 055 042 852
Faculty of Pain Medicine
Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists
Regulations: May 2008
(Vsn: 10/10)
The Faculty
In all cases in these regulations, "the Faculty" refers to:
Faculty of Pain Medicine, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.
The Faculty aims to foster education, training, research and professional standards for the effective practice of pain medicine.
It is a joint venture between the following five participating professional bodies (“participating bodies” in these Regulations):
- Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA)
- Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP)
- Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)
- Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP)
- Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (RACP) (AFRM RACP)
Regulations
1. The Board of Faculty
2. Committees and functions of the board
3. Admission to Fellowship of the Faculty
4. Training
5. Assessment
6. Examination
7. Scientific meetings of the Faculty
8. Annual general meeting of the Faculty
9. General business meetings of the Faculty
10. Annual subscription
11. Resignation from the Faculty
12. Expulsion from the Faculty
13. Appeals procedure
14. Administrative orders
15. Regional and National Committees of the Faculty
1. THE BOARD OF FACULTY
1.1 The Board of Faculty ("the Board" will consist of):
1.1.1
Ten Fellows of the Faculty, elected or nominated in accordance with these Regulations
1.1.2
At least four shall be Fellows of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA)
1.1.3
At least two shall be Fellows of a Division or a Faculty or a Chapter of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP)
1.1.4
At least one shall be a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)
1.1.5
At least one shall be a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP)
1.1.6
The remaining two shall be any Fellows of the Faculty.
1.1.7
One Councillor nominated by The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (referred to as a "Co-opted Representative").
1.1.8
Co-opted Representatives appointed under Regulations 1.1.9 , 1.1.10 .
1.1.9
At least one Board Member will be resident in New Zealand. The Board will not be irregularly constituted if there is not an elected Board Member resident in New Zealand. If at any time New Zealand is not represented on the Board by an elected Member, the Board will co-opt a New Zealand resident Fellow (referred to as a “Co-opted Representative”).|
1.1.10
If at any time any State of Australia is not represented on the Board by an elected Member, the Board will have the power to co-opt a Fellow resident in that State (referred to as a “Co-opted Representative”).
1.1.11
Co-opted Representatives will be appointed annually by the Board for a maximum aggregate period of three years.
1.1.12
Co-opted and nominated Representatives will be entitled to exercise all the same rights and privileges at Board Meetings as the elected Members, including the right to vote, except for voting for Officers of the Board. They shall not be eligible for election to Office of the Board.
1.1.13
If at any time a Fellow under 1.1.2, 1.1.3, 1.1.4 or 1.1.5 is not elected to the Board, then the relevant College will nominate one of its Fellows who is also a Fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine and practicing Pain Medicine as if an elected Board Member. These members are referred to as “Nominated Representatives”.
1.1.14
Elected Board Members who have held office for a continuous period of three years will
retire from office at the Annual General Meeting of the Faculty. Subject to 1.1.15 they will be eligible for re-election.
1.1.15
Elected Board Members who have served on the Board for an aggregate of 12 years will retire from office at the next Annual General Meeting of the Faculty and will never be eligible for re-election.
1.2 The Board may at its discretion invite:
1.2.1
a representative of the Australian Pain Society and/or
1.2.2
a representative of the New Zealand Pain Society
as non-voting observers at the Board for such term or terms as the Board determines. At the invitation of the Dean such observers may enter into discussion on matters before the Board.
1.3 Election of the Board
1.3.1
Vacancies on the Board will be filled by election.
1.3.2
Nominations of eligible candidates for election must:
1.3.2.1
be signed by two Fellows of the Faculty, and
1.3.2.2
contain a consent to act, signed by the nominated Fellow, and
1.3.2.3
be in the hands of the Faculty General Manager at least sixty (60) days before the Annual General Meeting.
1.3.3
If the number of nominations does not exceed the number of vacancies, eligible Fellows of the Faculty so nominated will be declared appointed at the Annual General Meeting.
1.3.4
If the number of nominations from each participating body exceeds that College, Faculty or Chapter representation established under Regulation 1.1 , then:
1.3.4.1
Ballot lists shall be printed containing the names of the eligible candidates in alphabetical order in each section.
1.3.4.2
One such list shall be posted at least thirty (30) days before the Annual General Meeting to each Fellow of the Faculty at his or her address appearing in the Register of Fellows of the Faculty.
1.3.4.3
Voting Fellows shall vote only for as many candidates in each section as there are vacancies to be filled.
1.3.4.4
Votes must be received at the Faculty Office not later than 1700 hours on the closing date advised with such notice. Votes received thereafter shall be deemed to be invalid and shall not be counted.
1.3.5
At the Annual General Meeting a candidate resident in New Zealand and receiving more votes than any other New Zealand candidates (if any) shall be first declared elected to bring the number of elected Board Members resident in New Zealand up to one.
1.3.6
Remaining vacancies shall be filled by declaring elected the necessary number from remaining candidates who received the most votes in each section.
1.3.7
If two or more candidates receive an equal number of votes in a section, then priority in election shall be determined as follows:
1.3.7.1
A candidate who is also a retiring Board Member shall be deemed to have received more votes than a candidate who is not.
1.3.7.2
A retiring Board Member who has served on the Board for a longer continuous period immediately prior to such election than another retiring Board Member shall be deemed to have received more votes than such other retiring Board Member.
1.3.7.3
In the event of two or more retiring Board Members who have served on the Board for the same continuous period immediately prior to such election receiving an equal number of votes, the retiring Members of the Board who have been Fellows or Members of their respective College or Faculty for the longest continuous period immediately prior to such election shall be deemed to have received more votes than the others.
1.3.7.4
A candidate who is not a retiring Board Member but who has been a Fellow of the Faculty for a longer continuous period immediately prior to such election than another candidate who is also not a retiring Board Member shall be deemed to have received more votes than such other candidate.
1.3.7.5
In the event of priority in election not being resolved under the foregoing provisions, the priority in election between such candidates shall be determined by the Dean.
1.4 Meetings of the Board
1.4.1
The Dean will be Chair of the Board. In the Dean's absence, the Vice-Dean will act as Chair, and in the absence of the Dean and Vice-Dean, the Board will elect a Chair for that meeting.
1.4.2
The presence of seven Board Members constitutes a quorum of the Board.
1.4.3
The Board may act irrespective of any vacancy in its Membership, provided a quorum is present.
1.4.4
The Board will ordinarily meet for the transaction of business at the offices of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, at such times as the Board will decide.
1.4.5
The Dean, or any four Board Members, may call an extraordinary meeting of the Board at any time and place.
1.4.5.1
Such an extraordinary meeting may be convened to debate a motion of no confidence.
1.4.6
All proceedings and reports of the Board and any of its Committees or sub-Committees will be confidential and privileged.
1.4.7
Reports of Board business will be published at the discretion of the Dean.
1.4.8
Voting of the Board will be in accordance with the following rules:
1.4.8.1
Resolutions of the Board will be determined by simple majority except where elsewhere provided in these Regulations.
1.4.8.2
The Chair will exercise a deliberative and where applicable a casting vote.
1.5 Officers of the Board
1.5.1
In February each year the Board will elect from its elected Members a Dean-Elect who will take office as Dean following the Annual General Meeting of that year.
1.5.2
In May each year the Board will elect from its elected Members a Vice-Dean who will take office following the AGM.
1.5.3
In May each year the Board will elect from its elected Members the following who will take office following the AGM:
1.5.3.1
Chair of Relationships Portfolio
1.5.3.2
Chair of Trainee Affairs Portfolio
1.5.3.3
Chair of Fellowship Affairs Portfolio
1.5.3.4
Chair of Resources Portfolio
1.5.4
In May each year the Board will appoint the following:
1.5.4.1
Chair of Education Committee
1.5.4.2
Chair of Examination Committee
1.5.4.3
Chair of Training Unit Accreditation Committee
1.5.4.4
Chair of Research Committee
1.5.4.5
Chair of Continuing Professional Development Committee
1.5.4.6
Assessor
1.5.5
The election of Officers will be conducted by secret ballot.
1.5.6
The Dean and Vice-Dean will hold office for one year. Each is eligible for re-election for a further period of one year.
1.5.7
Officers of the Board will hold office for one year. Each is eligible for re-election.
1.5.8
The Secretary of the Board will be the Faculty General Manager.
1.5.9
The Chief Executive Officer of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists will be an adviser to the Faculty.
2. PORTFOLIOS, COMMITTEES AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD
2.1 The functions of the Board are encompassed in the following portfolios:
2.1.1
Relationships
2.1.2
Trainee Affairs
2.1.3
Fellowship Affairs
2.1.4
Resources
2.2
The Chair of each Portfolio will be a Board Member.
2.3
The Board may appoint Committees to undertake functions under these portfolios.
2.4
The Board will delegate to the Committees such powers and responsibilities as the Board deems appropriate.
2.5
The Chair of each Committee will normally be a Board Member. A non-Board Member Chair is responsible to the Board.
2.6
The Board, or Administrative Order, will determine the number, duties and membership of the Committees.
2.7
Decisions of Committees will be by simple majority. The Chair exercises a deliberative vote and where applicable a casting vote.
2.8 Committees of the Board are:
2.8.1
Education Committee
2.8.2
Examination Committee
2.8.3
Training Unit Accreditation Committee
2.8.4
Research Committee
2.8.5
Continuing Professional Development Committee
3. FELLOWSHIP OF THE FACULTY
Admission to Fellowship of the Faculty will be by one of the following:
3.1
Faculty Training and Examination
3.2
Election to Fellowship
3.2.1 Directly or
10/10
3.2.2
Without further training but following satisfactory summative assessment
02/09
3.3
Invitation (Honorary Fellowship)
3.1 Admission to Fellowship by Training and Examination
3.1.1
The Board may admit to Fellowship of the Faculty applicants who are Fellows of:
3.1.1.1
Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA), or
3.1.1.2
Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), or
3.1.1.3
Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), or
3.1.1.4
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), or
3.1.1.5
Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine RACP (AFRM RACP), or
3.1.1.6
who hold a specialist qualification acceptable to the Board (see 4.2.6), and
10/10
3.1.2
who have completed all training and examination requirements of the Faculty (refer to Sections 4, 5 and 6 )
3.1.3
Application for admission to Fellowship must be on the prescribed form and contain such information as the Board may require. The application must be accompanied by:
3.1.3.1
confirmation of satisfactory completion of training from the candidate's Supervisor of Training.
3.1.3.2
an agreement by the applicant that all communications made by the Board or any of its officers and all answers to any questionnaire made by any referee or any Fellow of the Faculty will for all purposes be deemed a privileged communication.
3.1.4
The Assessor will make a recommendation to the Board when all requirements for admission to Fellowship have been completed.
3.1.5
Having received and considered all
relevant materials and communications in reference to an application for
Fellowship of the Faculty, including the recommendation of the Assessor, the
Board may admit the applicant to Fellowship, reject the application or suspend final
determination for any period it thinks fit.
02/09
3.2 Admission to Fellowship by Election
3.2.1
The Board may elect to Fellowship without examination persons who are registered medical specialists in Australia or New Zealand. An applicant for election to Fellowship must satisfy the following criteria:
3.2.1.1
Be a Fellow of a participating College or Faculty or Chapter or have a specialist qualification relevant to Pain Medicine that is acceptable to the Board.
3.2.1.2
Have a substantial involvement in Multidisciplinary Pain Services or equivalent Pain Medicine practice acceptable to the Board. [For the purposes of this clause, “substantial” means current clinical practice in pain medicine equivalent to at least 3 sessions per week, and with at least 3 years Full Time Equivalent experience].
3.2.1.3
Produce independent confirmation by a relevant health care facility of involvement in specialist Pain Medicine practice.
3.2.1.4
Participate in Continuing Professional Development in Pain Medicine comparable with Faculty Fellows.
3.2.1.5
Contribute to the development of professional activity in Pain Medicine.
3.2.1.6
Show contributions to the field of Pain Medicine by:
3.2.1.6.1
Regular contributions to undergraduate and/or postgraduate education in this field, or
3.2.1.6.2
Several publications in Index Medicus-listed journals and/or presentations at major scientific congresses.
3.2.2
Applications for admission to Fellowship by Election will be supported on the prescribed form by five Fellows.
3.2.3
Applications for election to Fellowship may be considered at any meeting of the Board provided nominations are submitted to the Faculty General Manager at least 28 days prior to the Board Meeting.
3.2.4
Each application will be accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae and an outline of how the applicant meets the criteria in Regulation 3.2.1.
3.2.5
Applications for Election to Fellowship, on the prescribed forms and with supporting documentation, will be sent to each Member of the Board at least 14 days prior to the Board Meeting.
3.2.6
After discussion of each application the Board will vote by secret ballot to:
3.2.6.1
Accept the application for Election, or3.2.6.2
Accept the application contingent upon satisfactory completion of examination and clinical case study requirements (See 5.3 Summative Assessments) without further training or
3.2.6.3
Reject the application
3.2.7
Direct Election to Fellowship requires three quarters of the Members of the Board present to vote in favour. In the event that is not the case, a further secret ballot will determine the outcome between the remaining two alternatives by simple majority.
3.2.8
An applicant offered summative assessment without further training as a pathway to Fellowship will be required to register prior to the examination closing date. Such applicants must pay the registration fee but are exempt from the annual training fee. In the event of satisfactory completion of the examination, Regulations 3.1.4 and 3.1.5 will be followed.
3.2.9
An applicant admitted to Fellowship by election will pay the entrance fee as prescribed by the Board in addition to the annual subscription.
3.2.10
The decision of the Board or the Council of ANZCA on any application will be final and neither will be required to assign any reasons for the admission or rejection of a candidate or suspension of its decision about a candidate’s application.
3.2.11
Each successful applicant will sign the following pledge which is binding upon admission by Election to Fellowship: “I hereby pledge myself as a condition of Fellowship of the Faculty of Pain Medicine, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, to obey all Regulations of the Faculty.”
02/09
3.3 Honorary Fellowship
3.3.1
The Board may confer Honorary Fellowship on distinguished persons who have made a notable contribution to the advancement of the science and practice of Pain Medicine and who are not practicing Pain Medicine in Australia or New Zealand.
3.3.2
Honorary Fellowship will not be conferred "in absentia".
3.3.3
Nominations for Honorary Fellowship may be considered at any Board Meeting.
3.3.4
Nominations will be in writing, formally proposed and seconded by two Members of the Board, and submitted to the Faculty Executive Officer at least 28 days before the Board Meeting.
3.3.5
Each nomination will be accompanied by curriculum vitae.
3.3.6
The Board will vote on the nomination by secret ballot.
3.3.7
Election to Honorary Fellowship requires three quarters of the Members of the Board present to vote in favour.
3.3.8
Nominations rejected by the Board may be reconsidered if proposed and seconded at a subsequent Meeting of the Board.
3.3.9
Honorary Fellows will not pay entry or annual subscriptions.
3.4 Diploma of Fellowship and Academic Dress
3.4.1
All proceedings in relation to the admission to Fellowship will be confidential and privileged.
3.4.2
Persons admitted to Fellowship of the Faculty of Pain Medicine, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, will be entitled to place after their names the letters FFPMANZCA.
3.4.3
The Diploma of Fellowship of the Faculty will be in the following form:
FACULTY OF PAIN MEDICINE,
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND COLLEGE OF ANAESTHETISTS
ABN 82 055 042 852
This is to certify that…....................................................................... was duly admitted a Fellow of the Faculty of Pain Medicine, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.
Given under the common seal of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists this ………………day of 20……
No....................
3.4.4
Academic Costume
3.4.4.1
For Fellows, a black stuff gown with looped sleeves, facings 110mm green with gold trim and be continued on as a green yoke around the back.
3.4.4.2
For Members of the Board of the Faculty, as for Fellows but having a 35mm green band around the hem of the gown and each sleeve gathered with six silk gold faced buttons tied together in three pairs with braided gold silk cord.
3.4.4.3
For the Vice-Dean, a black gown made from pure wool in the style as for Members of the Board but with gold metallic cord trim and each sleeve gathered with six gold metallic faced buttons tied together in three pairs with braided gold metallic cord.
3.4.4.4
For the Dean, a black gown made from pure wool in the style of the Vice-Dean with the addition of a gold frog posted on each front facing.
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4. TRAINING
4.1 Training posts and programs
4.1.1
The Board will approve Training Units as suitable to provide programs for trainees in Multidisciplinary Pain Medicine.
10/10
4.1.2
A trainee is a registered medical practitioner undergoing training in accordance with these Regulations.
04/10
4.1.3
Trainees who require experience in more than one Accredited Training Unit are to submit their intended individual program to the Assessor for prospective approval.
08/10
4.2 The Pain Medicine Training Program
4.2.1
Training is for a minimum of two years.
4.2.2
Training may commence during, and may be concurrent with, training programs towards a primary specialist qualification acceptable to the Board, as defined in Regulations 3.1.1 and
3.5.1.
4.2.3
When Pain Medicine training is concurrent with training in one of the primary specialties advice should be obtained from both the parent College/Faculty and the Faculty of Pain Medicine.
4.2.4
Trainees must undertake at least one prospectively approved structured training year in a Faculty accredited Pain Medicine Program as outlined in Faculty Professional Document PM2 Guidelines for Units Offering Training in Multidisciplinary Pain Medicine.
4.2.5
One additional year of approved experience of direct relevance to Pain Medicine is required. Prior training may be accredited; approval of this is not automatic.
4.2.6
Training accepted under Regulation 3.1.1.6 must meet requirements determined by the Assessor.
4.3 Registering as a Trainee and Training Fees
4.3.1
Trainees must be registered with the Faculty.
4.3.2
The period of structured training in a Faculty accredited Pain Medicine Program is deemed to commence when the trainee has completed registration with the Faculty.
4.3.3
Those registering early may initially pay only 10% of the (annual) training fee. The remaining 90% may be deferred until the commencement of the structured year in a Faculty accredited Pain Medicine Program. Early registration entitles the trainee to:
4.3.3.1
Receive the education materials, including Objective of Training and Resource List.
4.3.3.2
Be eligible to attend the self-funded pre-examination short course.
4.3.3.3
Have access to a mentor should this be requested by the trainee.
4.3.4
Those applying for late registering are required to:
4.3.4.1
Provide an explanation of circumstances which led to the delay of registration, and also clarification as to which of the circumstances were beyond the control of the Trainee.
4.3.4.2
Provide an explanation of the actions taken by the Trainee to minimise this delay.
4.3.4.3
Provide an ITA completed by the SoT recording the formative assessment of the performance of the Trainee during the time to be considered for inclusion as a training period.
4.3.4.4
Pay the late registration fee for the first month and a monthly fee thereafter, at the discretion of the Board, in addition to the annual training fee.
4.4
Part-time Training will be considered on an individual basis subject to the following criteria:
4.4.1
Must have prospective approval and be for reasons acceptable to the Board whose authority may be delegated to the Assessor.
4.4.2
Must be supported by the Director of the Training Unit and the Hospital Administration.
4.4.3
Must result in the same training content and time as for full-time trainees.
4.4.4
Must comprise a minimum of 50% of the commitment of a full time trainee.
4.4.5
Requires registration with the Faculty and payment of a pro-rata Annual Training Fee.
4.5
Interrupted Training may be considered upon application to the Assessor, subject to the following principles:
4.5.1
Training must be completed within 10 years of the date of commencement of training.
4.5.2
This 10 year period includes delays caused by examination failures, interrupted and part-time training.
4.5.3
Where
interruption of training is associated with on-going problems, the Board, on
the advice of the Assessor, may approve an amended training program having regard
to all relevant factors.
5. ASSESSMENT
5.1
Assessment comprises the following:
5.1.1
Log Book
5.1.2
In Training Assessments
5.1.3
Clinical Case Study
5.1.4
Examination
5.2 Formative:
5.2.1
Log Book: The trainee is expected to keep an accurate logbook over a period of six months. The format and documentation required in the logbook are described in the Faculty’s Trainee Support Kit.
5.2.2
In Training Assessments: Quarterly assessments from the trainee’s Pain Medicine Program Supervisor of Training (or equivalent) are required during the approved training period.
5.3 Summative:
5.3.1
Clinical Case Study
All candidates for summative assessment are required to submit a clinical case study. The format of the clinical case study is described in the Faculty’s Trainee Support Kit
5.3.2
Examination: See section 6.
5.4
Notwithstanding the above Regulations, the Board may on the advice of the Assessor approve alternative training and assessment.
5.5
Applicants wishing to present for the Examination are required to:
5.5.1
Apply on the approved form
5.5.2
Submit the required documents
5.5.3
Pay the prescribed fees
5.5.4
Ensure that the above items are received by the Faculty General Manager at least 45 days before the commencement date of the examination.
5.6
An applicant may appeal against a decision of the Assessor to the Board. If the candidate is not satisfied with the Board's decision, the College's Reconsideration, Review and Appeals Process can be invoked.10/08
5.7
The Board may refuse the application of any candidate for the Fellowship Examination without assigning reasons.
5.8
A candidate who withdraws his/her application may be refunded the fee paid, provided that notice of withdrawal in writing is received by the Faculty General Manager before the published date on which entries close.
5.9
A candidate whose entry has been accepted and who withdraws from the examination on or after the date on which entries close, or who fails to attend at the examination, will forfeit the examination fee.
5.10
The Board may refund a proportion of the fee paid, on production by the candidate of satisfactory evidence of a medical or compassionate nature, provided that the refund is applied for within seven days of withdrawal or failure to appear.
6. EXAMINATION:
6.1
The written, clinical and oral sections will be held in cities of Australia and New Zealand or other areas at the discretion of the Board.
6.2
Examination fees will be determined by the Board.
6.3
The Examination will be held at times determined by the Board and comprises:
6.3.1
Written short answer questions
6.3.2
An observed long case
6.3.3
Short cases
6.3.4
A viva voce.
6.4
The Court of Examiners may refuse to proceed with examination of a candidate who:
6.4.1
infringes the Regulations, or
6.4.2
is considered by the examiners to be guilty of conduct prejudicial to the examination.
6.5
All enquiries, applications and communications must be addressed to the General Manager, Faculty of Pain Medicine, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.
6.6
For each examination the Chair of the Court of Examiners shall be responsible for ensuring that candidates are informed as soon as practicable after the decision of the Court of Examiners has been made.
6.7
On successful completion of the Faculty’s examination, candidates will be issued with the following certificate:
“This is to certify that …………… has satisfied the examination requirements of the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. Award of Fellowship of the Faculty is dependent on completion of all eligibility requirements as set out in Faculty Regulations.”
6.8 Barbara Walker Prize for Excellence in
Pain Medicine Examination
6.8.1
The Barbara Walker Prize for Excellence in the Pain Medicine Examination was established in 1999.
6.8.2
The Barbara Walker Prize for Excellence in the Pain Medicine Examination can only be awarded when the top candidate achieves at least 70%.
6.8.3
A candidate re-presenting for the examination is eligible to be awarded the Barbara Walker Prize for Excellence in the Pain Medicine Examination.
6.9 Merit List
6.9.1
A certificate which recognises a pass with merit in the examination will be awarded to the meritorious candidates.
6.9.2
The Court of Examiners determines candidates for inclusion on the Merit List at the conclusion of the annual Faculty of Pain Medicine examination.
6.9.3
Candidates who have shown excellence in the examination and achieved a mark in the top 10% will be eligible for inclusion on the Merit List.
6.10 Certificate of Completion of Training and Summative Assessment (CCTSA)
6.10.1 A CCTSA may be awarded to trainees who successfully complete all the requirements of FPM training and summative assessment but do not hold a primary specialist qualification acceptable to the Board.
6.10.2 A CCTSA is not equivalent to Fellowship and does not provide grounds for eligibility for registration as a Specialist Pain Medicine Physician in Australia or as a Pain Medicine Specialist in New Zealand.
6.10.3 A holder of a CCTSA who achieves a primary qualification acceptable to the Board may be awarded FFPMANZCA. Such a person must demonstrate continuity of pain medicine practice from the award of the CCTSA to the time of application for FFPMANZCA.
7. SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS OF THE FACULTY
7.1
Scientific Meetings of the Faculty will be held at such times and places as the Board may from time to time by resolution direct.
8. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE FACULTY
8.1
The Annual General Meeting of the Fellows of the Faculty will be held at the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists or at such place and at such time as the Board will in each year determine, and not more than fifteen months after the holding of the last Annual General Meeting.
8.2
Thirty days notice of the Annual General Meeting of Fellows will be sent to each Fellow of the Faculty at the address appearing in the Register of Fellows of the Faculty.
8.3
The business of the Annual General Meeting will be:
8.3.1
To receive the report of the Dean.
8.3.2
To receive the Balance Sheet and Income and Expenditure Account.
8.3.3
To receive the declaration of the poll for election to the Board.
9. GENERAL BUSINESS MEETINGS OF THE FACULTY
9.1
General Business Meetings will be held at such times and places as the Board may direct by resolution.
9.2
Standing Orders at General Business Meetings
9.2.1
When a motion has been duly proposed and seconded, the Chair will at once take the votes thereon, unless a Fellow proceeds to discuss the matter or to propose an amendment.
9.2.2
All motions will be:
9.2.2.1
duly proposed and seconded
9.2.2.2
affirmative in character.
9.2.2.3
submitted in writing thirty days before the meeting and circulated with the agenda
9.2.2.4
withdrawn only by unanimous consent of the meeting.
9.2.3
A motion may be resolved, adjourned or referred to the Board.
9.2.4
The proposer of a motion has the right of reply at the conclusion of the debate.
9.2.5
No other Fellow will speak more than once upon the same motion or amendment except:
9.2.5.1 in
explanation or correction of some matter during the debate when he/she will
have the right to explain a misunderstanding or language but will be prohibited
from further debate on the merits of the case.
9.2.5.2
upon a point of order raised during the debate
9.2.5.3
by permission of the Chair.
9.2.6
Any Fellow rising to a point of order will state distinctly such point of order without debate and will then resume his/her seat until the point of order is decided by the Chair.
9.2.7
Any Fellow speaking when a point of order is raised will not continue his/her speech until the point of order is decided.
9.2.8
Any motion approved or rejected cannot be moved again at the same meeting, but a notice of motion to vary the decision may be given.
9.2.9
The Chair will put all questions in a distinct and audible voice to the meeting and declare whether or not the vote is carried.
9.2.10
Motions will be decided by simple majority, except where otherwise provided in these Regulations, with the Chair exercising a deliberative and if applicable, a casting vote.
9.2.11
A motion may be amended during the debate, provided the intent of the motion is preserved. No Fellow will propose more than one amendment to a motion.
9.2.12
Upon an amendment being carried, the motion as amended will take the place of the original motion and may be further amended until a decision is reached.
9.2.13
No Fellow may speak to any question after the Chair has risen to put the question except to a point of order.
9.2.14
Any Fellow who has not already spoken will have the right to move that "the question be now put".
9.2.15
There will be no debate on such motion.
9.2.16
Such a motion must be carried by a three quarters majority of those present. The Chair will have a casting vote.
9.2.17
When a motion is carried "that the motion be now put", the mover of the original motion will be allowed to reply.
9.2.18
A motion to adjourn the meeting or debate may be proposed and, if seconded, will be put to the vote immediately.
9.2.19
When "time" for the resumption of an adjourned debate is discussed, the discussion will be confined to the question of time and duration of the debate.
9.2.20
In all other cases the Chair will have jurisdiction.
9.2.21
By permission of the Chair, any Fellow may propose a suspension of Standing Orders. This motion must be carried by a three quarters majority of those present.
9.2.22
A Special General Meeting may be called
by any Fellow. The business of Special General Meetings will be confined to
reading the notice convening the meeting and the consideration of subjects for
which the meeting was called.
10. ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION
10.1
The annual subscription to be paid by Fellows will be determined by the Board of the Faculty and will be payable on the first day of January in each year.
10.2
Fellows appointed during the year will pay a pro-rata subscription based on the number of full calendar months remaining in the year from the date of admission.
10.3
Reductions and Exemptions:
10.3.1
Conditions under which reduction or exemption of the annual subscription may be granted will be determined by the Board and detailed on the subscription notice.
10.3.2
Notwithstanding 10.3.1 the Board may remit the whole or part of the annual subscription payable by a Fellow.
10.4
Any Fellow of the Faculty who has not paid the annual subscription within twelve months of the due date, will be deemed to be in arrears.
10.5
Any Fellow of the Faculty who fails to pay the annual subscription within a further twelve months, will cease to be a Fellow following a decision by the Board and will be duly notified by the Faculty General Manager. The name of the Fellow will then be removed from the list of Fellows.
10.6
The Board may announce to the public generally or to any professional body or organisation, the fact that such person has ceased to be a Fellow of the Faculty.
10.7
Should a sufficient explanation for failure to pay the annual subscription be made by the Fellow to the satisfaction of the Board, it may approve readmission as a Fellow of the Faculty.
11. RESIGNATION FROM THE FACULTY
11.1
A Fellow of the Faculty shall cease to be a Fellow of the Faculty if the Fellow resigns his or her Fellowship in writing, thirty days after receipt by the General Manager of his or her written resignation as a Fellow of the Faculty.
12. EXPULSION FROM THE FACULTY
12.1
If the Board recommends that a Fellow be charged with a breach of the Regulations, or other conduct contrary to the ethics, standards and purposes of the Faculty (hereinafter termed "derogatory conduct"), the Faculty General Manager shall notify the Fellow concerned in writing of details of the charges and of the date (being not less than fourteen days after the date when such notice is served) of the Meeting of the Board at which the charges will be considered.
12.1.1
A Fellow charged with derogatory conduct is entitled to present verbal or written defense to the Board.
12.1.2
When a Fellow is found guilty of derogatory conduct, the Board may resolve to recommend to the Council of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (“the Council”) that the Fellow may be:
12.1.2.1
censured, or
12.1.2.2
suspended from Fellowship of the Faculty for such a period as it deems fit, or
12.1.2.3
expelled from the Faculty.
12.2
No Fellow will be found guilty or punished under these Regulations, except by the vote of at least three quarters of all the Members of the Board present and voting. The quorum for such meetings will be three quarters of the elected Membership of Board or Council (as the case may be).
12.3
In the event of a Fellow found guilty of derogatory conduct and censured, suspended or expelled pursuant to 12.2 above, the Faculty General Manager will notify the Fellow of the Board and Council decisions.
12.4
Within seven days of being notified of such suspension or expulsion a Fellow will have his/her name removed from the list of Fellows and be requested to return the Diploma of Fellowship.
12.5
At its discretion, the Board may communicate the fact of the findings and penalty imposed to all or any of the Fellows and to all or any of the Fellows and Honorary Fellows, any professional body or organisation, or to the public generally.
13. APPEALS PROCEDURE
13.1
Appeals against decisions of the Faculty of Pain Medicine will be subject to the Appeals Process Rules of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.
14. ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS
14.1
Subject to these Regulations, the Board may make Administrative Orders for the good governance of the Faculty to regulate its affairs, including meetings, elections, administration and Fellowship. An Administrative Order shall not be inconsistent with, and shall be invalid to the extent of any such inconsistency with, any Regulations of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists relating to the Faculty.
15. REGIONAL AND NATIONAL COMMITTEES OF THE FACULTY
15.1 Purpose
Australian regional committees and the New Zealand National Committee (NZNC) of the Faculty of Pain Medicine (FPM) are elected bodies that act as a conduit between Fellows and trainees in the region or country and the FPM Board (the governance body of the Faculty) to which they report. The committees assist in implementing Faculty policy in their region or country, advise FPM Board on issues of interest to the Faculty and its Fellows and trainees in the region or country, represent the Faculty and promote the specialty, develop and maintain relationships with key regional or national stakeholders, and have a role in training, continuing medical education and other professional activities at a region or national level.
The FPM NZNC undertakes a leadership role on issues that relate specifically to New Zealand and reports to FPM Board on Faculty affairs in New Zealand. While FPM Board is the governance body for the entire Faculty in both countries, the sovereign status of New Zealand is acknowledged and the importance of providing locally grounded advice to government in each of the Faculty’s countries is recognised.
15.2 Roles
The roles of the FPM Australian regional committees and NZNC are specified in the relevant terms of reference.
The terms of reference also specify matters that are not the role of the FPM Australian regional committees or NZNC. As the College, is a legally incorporated educational and scientific body, matters related to remuneration for professional services and other industrial issues may not be negotiated by regional and national committees.
15.3 Establishment of Regional/National Committees
15.3.1 Where a State or Territory of Australia or New Zealand has 5 or more Fellows, a Regional or National Committee may be formed.
15.3.2 Where there are less than 5 Fellows of the Faculty in a given Region, then Fellows may be represented by a Board member from that region. If there is no Board member, then a representative may be appointed by the Board. The absence of a formalised Regional/National Committee in a region does not preclude Fellows from holding meetings.
15.4 Functioning of Regional/National Committees.
A Regional/National Committee shall:
15.4.1 Advise the Board of any matters that may concern the interests of the Faculty and carry out such other duties as may be delegated to them by the Board.
15.4.2 Conduct their affairs in accordance with the Constitution of ANZCA and the Regulations of the Faculty.
15.4.3 Submit to the Board for approval, any document affecting Faculty policy prior to promulgation.
15.4.4 As the College is a legally incorporated educational and scientific body, not negotiate on matters relating to remuneration for professional services.
15.4.5 Advise the Board on matters affecting training, accreditation and review of hospital unit training programs.
15.4.6 Nominate to the Board a Scientific Program Convenor for the Annual Scientific Meeting when it is to be held in their Region.
15.4.7 Inform the Board of any regional/New Zealand political negotiations and obtain its permission before making any specific commitment.
15.4.8 Meet at least three times a year with the use of teleconferencing if required.
15.4.9 Identify a quorum for Regional/National Committee meetings at the first meeting of the incoming Committee which will be either 3, or one third of the voting members, whichever is the greater.
15.4.10 Hold a Regional /New Zealand Annual General Business Meeting which shall be conducted under the Faculty Regulations for Standing Orders at General Business Meetings.
15.4.11 Submit to the General Manager, by 31st March each year, an Annual Report on the proceedings of the Committee during the past 12 months.
15.4.12 Record the attendance of elected Members at Regional/National Committee Meetings in its Annual Report.
15.4.13 Forward Unconfirmed Minutes of all Regional/National Committee meetings to the General Manager within one month of the meeting and confirmed Minutes immediately after such confirmation.
15.5 Appointment of a Regional/National Committee
15.5.1 Every two years, during February, nominations for membership of Regional/National Committees shall be sought from Fellows in each region.
15.5.2 If required, a postal ballot shall be held during the month of April.
15.5.3 The results of ballots shall be forwarded to the
General Manager before the Faculty May Board Meeting, at which the Board will
appoint those duly elected to the Committee for the next two years.
15.6 Nominations
15.6.1 Nominations of candidates who desire to submit their names for a Regional/National Ballot, must be signed by two Fellows of the Faculty resident in that region or New Zealand. Prior consent of the candidate in writing must be obtained.
15.6.2 If the number of Fellows nominated for a ballot does not exceed the number of vacancies on a Regional/National Committee, the names of all nominees shall be forwarded to the Board in accordance with Regulation 15.5.3.
15.6.3 If the number of nominations exceeds the number of vacancies, balloting lists shall be prepared which contain in alphabetical order, the names of the nominees.
15.6.4 In the case of Fellows seeking re-election, a
record of attendance at Regional/National Committee Meetings must accompany the
ballot papers.
15.7 Ballot
15.7.1
Voting must be for the same
number of nominees as there are vacancies to be filled.
15.7.2 When a ballot has been held, the Chairman of the Regional/National Committee shall appoint two scrutineers, who are not presenting for election, to count the votes and notify the Chairman of the Committee of the result. Voting papers which do not comply with Regulation 5.1 will be invalid.
15.7.3 In the case of a tied vote, the Chairman of the Regional/National Committee shall exercise a casting vote, following the procedure laid down in Article 9 of the ANZCA Constitution.
15.7.4 The new Regional/National Committee will take office at its first meeting after the May meeting of the Faculty Board in the year of its election.
15.8 Appointments
15.8.1
Members of Regional/National
Committees shall be appointed for two years, but shall be eligible for
re-appointment.
15.8.2 Except with the approval of the Board, no Fellow shall serve on a Regional/National Committee for longer than a total period of 12 years unless he or she is an ex-officio or co-opted member.
15.8.3 At its first meeting following the May meeting of the Faculty Board each year, Regional/National Committees shall co-opt to membership for that year a Fellow admitted to the Faculty within the preceding three years. Such a Fellow will be the New Fellow’s representative to the Committee and shall have full voting rights.
15.8.4 Members of the Board resident in a Region/New Zealand shall be ex-officio Members of that Regional/National Committee and shall have full voting rights.
15.8.5 The Committee may co-opt a trainee representative. This representative shall attend meetings but will have no voting rights.
15.8.6 The Committee may co-opt one or more Fellows of the Faculty for a special purpose. Such co-opted Members may attend Regional/National Committee meetings at the discretion of the Chairman but will have no voting rights.
15.8.7 The Committee may co-opt one or more Fellows of the Faculty to ensure inter-disciplinary representation on the Committee. Such co-opted Members shall attend Regional/National Committee meetings but will have no voting rights.
15.8.8 Any vacancy occurring during the term of the Regional/National Committee may be filled at its discretion.
15.9 Committee Office Bearers
15.9.1
At its first meeting
following the May meeting of the Faculty Board each Regional/National Committee
shall elect from its elected Members:
15.9.1.1 a Chairman, whose term of office will not exceed three consecutive years. The Chairman shall remain in office, and exercise all of the powers and duties of the Chairman as set out in this Regulation, until a successor has been elected.
15.9.1.2 a Deputy Chairman, whose term of office shall not be limited except by Regulation 15.8.2.
15.9.1.3 an Honorary Secretary
15.9.1.4 an Honorary Treasure
The Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer may be the same person. Their term(s) of office shall not be limited, except by Regulation 15.8.2.
16.9.2 Office Bearers of each Regional/National Committee shall be elected by secret ballot. If no nominee for any position secures a majority on the first ballot, there shall be an exhaustive ballot in accordance with Article 9 of the Constitution. The chair may exercise both a deliberative and a casting vote.
15.10 Composition of the Committee
15.4.1 Number of members.
Unless determined otherwise by the Board, the elected Membership of Regional /National Committees shall be determined by the number of Fellows in a region on the day on which nominations close, according to the formula:
| Fewer than 5 Fellows | Fellows may be represented by a Board member from that region |
| 5 - 15 Fellows | 3 Members |
| 16 - 25 Fellows | 4 Members |
| 26 – 35 Fellows | 5 Members |
| 36 – 75 Fellows | 6 Members |
| More than 75 Fellows | 7 Members |
15.11 Regional and National Offices
15.11.1 Administrative support for each regional or national committee will be from the relevant regional or national office.
Advisory Notes
Inter-disciplinary Representation.
It is desirable that the Regional/National Committee has an Inter-disciplinary Representation from the various parent colleges that form the Faculty. It is recognised that this will not always be possible.
Rural Representation.
It is desirable that the Regional/National Committee has a member outside of the metropolitan area of that regions capital city. It is recognised that this will not always be possible.
General Activities of the Regional/National Committee
Training in Pain Medicine
The Regional/National Committee, in accordance with the activities of the Board, should consider local strategies for the recruitment and training of Pain Medicine Trainees.
Regional/National Education
The Regional/National Committee should consider the needs of the Fellows in the region in terms of Continuing Medical Education. This could take the form of several meetings per year with a nominated speaker inviting all Fellows of the Region/New Zealand. These Regional/New Zealand meetings should not interfere with the Annual Scientific Meeting or the Spring Meeting of the FPM. The Board shall be notified of these meetings in advance.
Communication to local Fellows
The Regional/National Committee should provide regular communication with the Regional/New Zealand Fellows on matters of local interest. A copy of this communication shall be provided to the Board.
Local liaison with the Australian/New Zealand Pain Society
It is desirable that the Regional/National Committee maintains an open channel of communication with the local representative of the Australian/ New Zealand Pain Society to foster this relationship and to promote the multidisciplinary approach to pain management.
16. RECOGNITION AS A SPECIALIST IN PAIN MEDICINE FOR INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GRADUATE SPECIALISTS (IMGS) AND ADMISSION TO FELLOWSHIP BY ASSESSMENT FOR IMGS
The Faculty of Pain Medicine (FPM) of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) does not register specialists. On request, FPM will conduct an assessment of IMGS regarding specialist recognition and provide advice to relevant authorities in Australia and New Zealand. Applications for assessment of specialist qualifications in Australia or New Zealand must be made to the Australian Medical Council (AMC) or the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) respectively. In Australia IMGS whose basic medical degree was obtained from an Australian or New Zealand university but who undertook their specialist training overseas need not apply through the AMC, but apply directly to FPM. In New Zealand all applications must be made to the MCNZ.
16.1 An assessment undertaken by FPM on information supplied to it does not imply any recognition by FPM.
16.2 Support for an application for registration as a Specialist Pain Medicine Physician (SPMP) in Australia or a Pain Medicine Specialist in New Zealand will be automatic in the case of a graduate from a medical school recognised by the AMC, who holds the Diploma of Fellowship of FPM, who is in active clinical practice, and who is participating in a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) program acceptable to FPM.
16.3 For all other applicants, FPM’s support for an application for registration as a specialist in pain medicine in Australia and New Zealand requires that:
16.3.1 The applicant has a basic medical qualification that is recognised by the AMC or the MCNZ.
16.3.2 The applicant has acceptable documentation of registration as a specialist (or equivalent) in pain medicine in their country of training, together with acceptable proof of eligibility to work as a specialist in pain medicine in that country.
16.3.3 The applicant has satisfied all the requirements of the IMGS assessment process.
16.4 The IMGS assessment process is not a specialist training program, but an evaluation of the ability of an IMGS to practise in Australia or New Zealand as an unsupervised SPMP at a standard comparable with that expected of a Fellow of FPM (FFPMANZCA). The IMGS assessment process will be coordinated by the FPM IMGS Committee.
16.4.1 Assessment of documentation provided by the AMC or MCNZ is undertaken by the Assessor(s) or their nominee on behalf of the FPM IMGS Committee. The assessment will generate a decision as to whether the applicant is potentially Substantially Comparable (SC), Partially Comparable (PC) or Not Comparable (NC) to a Fellow of the FPMANZCA.
The following criteria will be considered:
16.4.1.1 A primary medical qualification, followed by a rotating internship of at least 12 months
16.4.1.2 A specialist qualification in Anaesthesia, Medicine, Surgery, Psychiatry or Rehabilitation Medicine that involves at least 36 months of training; acceptable to the FPM Board; or another specialist qualification whose Australian and New Zealand equivalent has been deemed acceptable to the FPM Board.
16.4.1.3 Training, qualification and experience in Pain Medicine.
16.4.1.4 Pain Medicine practice for a duration of at least 2 months during the 12 month period prior to the interview.
16.4.2 Documents and recommendations will be reviewed by the FPM IMGS Committee. Initial appeals will be considered by the FPM IMGS Committee. If the applicant is not satisfied with the FPM IMGS Committee’s decision, the ANZCA’s Reconsideration, Review and Appeals Process can be invoked.
16.4.2.1 Those assessed as NC are not considered further, and are so advised.
16.4.2.2 Those assessed as potentially SC or PC are invited to a face-to-face structured interview, the details of which are described in Regulation 23.6.
16.4.3 Those confirmed as SC at interview will normally be required to spend 12 months full time equivalent (FTE) in clinical pain medicine posts in Australia and/or New Zealand that have been approved, prior to commencement, by the FPM IMGS Committee or their nominee. During this time they will be required to undergo a period of Clinical Practice Assessment (CPA) and an IMGS Workplace Based Assessment (IMGS WBA).
16.4.4 Those confirmed as PC at interview will normally be required to do 12 to 24 months FTE CPA in clinical pain medicine posts in Australia and/or New Zealand that have been approved, prior to commencement, by the FPM IMGS Committee or their nominee. They will also be required to complete the Summative Assessments of the FPM, see Regulation 5.3.
16.4.5 All applicants must participate in a CPD program acceptable to FPM.
16.4.6 Applicants may be required to address other specific issues as assessed at the structured interview.
16.4.7 On completion of all requirements, applicants may apply for Fellowship of the FPM.
16.5 Fees for components of the IMGS assessment process will be determined by the FPM Board.
16.6 The Face-to-Face Structured Interview will be conducted by an FPM IMGS Interview Panel (hereafter ‘the Panel’) that has mixed gender representation and community and / or jurisdictional representation.
16.6.1 The FPM IMGS Committee will select a Panel that will comprise three FPM Fellows, including at least one FPM Fellow from the same primary specialty as the applicant, plus at least one community and / or jurisdictional representative. The Panel should contain at least one member from the: FPM IMGS Committee, Board Members, the Director of Professional Affairs (DPA). Other panel members may be Fellows of good standing with the FPM. The Dean should not normally be a member of the Panel. The Chair of the FPM IMGS Committee or a nominated representative will chair the panel.
16.6.2 The Panel will use the following criteria in assessing an applicant:
16.6.2.1 Evidence of completion of at least 12 months of broadly-based clinical experience prior to entering specialist training that could include surgery, general medicine and related subspecialties.
16.6.2.2 Comparability of the IMGS’s specialist pain medicine training with the FPM Fellowship Training Program with regard to duration, structure, content, specific pain medicine experience, supervision and assessment. The onus will be on the applicant to provide evidence in this regard. The comparability of the health system of the country within which the training occurred to that in Australia and New Zealand will be considered, as will training in the context of a nationally consistent program that requires training institutions to be accredited regularly against external standards.
16.6.2.3 Specialist qualifications and acceptable documentation indicating specialist status in the country of training. All documentation must be either originals or certified copies.
16.6.2.4 Experience as a specialist, in terms of case mix, use of equipment and drugs, and compliance with standards of pain medicine practice as promoted in FPM Professional Documents and as practised in Australia and/or New Zealand. Consideration will be given to the curriculum vitae, references, and details of practice as a specialist pain medicine physician. Experience must be substantiated by acceptable documentation. The comparability of the health system of the country or countries in which clinical experience as a specialist was obtained, to those in Australia and New Zealand will be considered.
16.6.2.5 Evidence of participation in CPD, comparable to the FPM CPD Program or program of an Australian and New Zealand College of the same primary discipline. Continuous involvement in recent years is particularly important.
16.6.2.6 Where there has been a break in clinical practice of more than 12 months immediately prior to commencement of the IMGS assessment process, a formalised individual program approved by the Assessor must be completed to the IMGS committee’s satisfaction prior to the face-to-face structured interview outcome being finalised. This period of practice re-entry will not normally contribute to the CPA period. This regulation is aligned with Medical Board of Australia (MBA) requirements.
16.6.3 The Panel will recommend that the IMGS be allocated to one of the following categories:
16.3.3.1 Substantially Comparable (SC): Eligible to proceed to a CPA period, normally of 12 months FTE, in a position approved by the IMGS committee or their nominee . An IMGS WBA must be completed satisfactorily.
16.6.3.2 Partially Comparable (PC): Eligible to proceed to a CPA period, normally of 12 to 24 months FTE, in a position approved by the IMGS committee or their nominee and required to fulfil summative assessment.
16.6.3.3 Not Comparable (NC): Ineligible for further consideration under the IMGS assessment process.
16.1 Summative Assessment
16.7.1 All aspects of the summative assessment need to be completed; this includes both the FPM examination and clinical case study.See regulations 5.3 and 6.
16.7.2 The Fellowship exam is conducted by the Examination Committee.
16.7.3 A satisfactory CPA report covering at least 3 months FTE must have been received by the closing date for applicants to present for the Fellowship Examination.
16.7.4 Provided the requirement of 23.7.3 is met, an application to sit the Fellowship Examination may be submitted to the FPM at any time subsequent to the structured interview.
16.7.5 An entry form must be submitted and the fee paid by the specified closing date for the Fellowship Examination.
16.7.6 Announcement of successful candidates will occur at the completion of the Fellowship Examination and such candidates will be presented to the Court of Examiners.
16.8 The CPA period serves to familiarise the applicant with pain medicine practice in Australia or New Zealand and to facilitate assessment of practice performance. In some cases, it may also address specific deficiencies in pain medicine training or experience.
16.8.1 The duration of the CPA period will be determined by the Panel and will normally require a minimum of 12 months with a maximum of 24 months FTE. The total duration of training and experience may not be less than the minimum duration required for trainees in Australia and New Zealand.
16.8.2 The CPA period must be structured to allow the IMGS to satisfy any other specific requirements stipulated by the Panel.
16.8.3 The CPA placement will be assessed by the Panel at interview, or by the IMGS Committee or their nominee subsequent to the interview.
16.8.4 The FPM IMGS Committee will provide details of the criteria for CPA placements.
16.8.5 The CPA period must be undertaken in Pain Medicine units (or other organisations) in Australia/New Zealand accepted by the FPM IMGS Committee as appropriate for the assessment period. Positions of less than 3 months will not be considered.
16.8.6 The CPA period may be undertaken on a part-time or interrupted basis; requests will be assessed by the Panel which will make a recommendation to the FPM IMGS Committee. A part-time appointment should not normally be less than 0.5 FTE.
16.8.7 If prior to the interview the applicant is already working in a position suitable for the CPA period, this previous experience may be approved. Requests will be assessed by the Panel which will make a recommendation to the FPM IMGS Committee. Such retrospective experience can be considered for a maximum of six months, provided the post meets the criteria determined at interview, and a suitable CPA Supervisor is nominated who is willing to act retrospectively in this capacity and provide a CPA report for that period. The final decision as to whether retrospective CPA will be approved will not be made until all other requirements have been completed satisfactorily.
16.8.8 In all other circumstances, the position and CPA supervisor must be approved prospectively. The applicant may commence the CPA period from the date of the structured interview.
16.8.9 The Panel at interview, or the IMGS Committee subsequent to the interview, will approve a CPA Supervisor nominated by the employer to oversee each applicant’s CPA period. The Supervisor will provide a report to the Panel of the applicant’s practice every 3 months. Based on these reports, the time may or may not be credited towards the required duration of CPA and / or the FPM IMGS Committee may review the initial assessment of the applicant.
16.8.10 The applicant will be responsible for maintaining a logbook during their CPA. The logbook will need to be presented to the CPA supervisor on a 3 monthly basis for confirmation that relevant clinical experience goals are being attained.
16.8.11 The duration of CPA may be extended from the duration decided at the structured interview until all requirements have been fulfilled. If the IMGS assessment process has not been completed within four years, the FPM IMGS Committee will consider all relevant issues prior to deciding whether to terminate the IMGS assessment process or to grant an extension of time. In exceptional circumstances, the FPM IMGS Committee may grant an extension of time.
16.8.12 The FPM has no responsibility to obtain positions suitable for the CPA period on behalf of applicants.
16.9 The IMGS WBA will be held during the final 3 months of the CPA. It will take place at the organisation where the applicant practices clinical pain medicine.
16.9.1 The WBA assesses professional performance with regard to the standard that would reasonably be expected of a Fellow of FPM at a comparable stage of his / her career.
16.9.2 The WBA will be conducted by two Fellows of FPM, at least one of whom must come from outside the applicant’s region of practice and at least one Fellow from the same primary specialty as the applicant. Members of the Panel may be WBA assessors.
16.9.3 The Assessors will be provided with relevant information about the applicant and the circumstances in which he / she practises.
16.9.4 The applicant will be provided with detailed information about the process and the responsibilities of the applicant regarding the planning of each day’s activities.
16.9.5 The WBA may include assessment activities such as preliminary interview, an assessment of pain medicine records, observation of clinical practice, multi-source staff interviews, review of log books, case-based discussions and an end-of-assessment interview.
16.9.6 Following the WBA, the Assessors will prepare a structured report that will be reviewed by the Chair of the FPM IMGS Committee, or his/her nominee. The applicant will be notified by the FPM of the decision. When all other requirements for Fellowship have been satisfactorily completed, the AMC/MCNZ will be notified.
16.9.7 The fee for this process is determined by the FPM Board and is the responsibility of the applicant or the hospital administrator.
16.10 A serious breach of patient care or disciplinary action in respect of employment or medical registration is a matter for the employer or the relevant Medical Board / Council and not FPM. In some situations, it may be appropriate or required for the Head of Department or other colleagues to report the matter to the Medical Board / Council. The applicant must maintain medical registration, without any conditions, limitations or restrictions unless those conditions are approved by the FPM. It is the responsibility of the applicant and the CPA supervisor to inform the FPM IMGS Committee of any breaches of patient care, complaints or disciplinary action that reflect adversely on the applicant’s practice.
16.11 Review of the progress of applicants by the FPM IMGS Committee may occur for reasons including: unsatisfactory performance in the Fellowship Examination, failure in the Fellowship Examination for a second or subsequent time, a significantly unsatisfactory CPA report, lapse of the IMGS assessment process, an unsatisfactory WBA, or failure to make satisfactory progress through the FPM IMGS assessment process.
16.11.1 The purpose of the review process is to identify barriers to completion of the FPM IMGS assessment process.
16.11.2 The review may be initiated on advice from the Chair of the Examination Committee, the applicant’s authorised CPA Supervisor or the FPM IMGS Committee.
16.11.3 The review may include a re-interview conducted by a Panel nominated by the Chair of the FPM IMGS Committee, but should include at least one member of the original panel.
16.11.4 The review may include gathering further information from work colleagues who are familiar with the applicant's professional practice.
16.11.5 Reports from the applicant’s CPA Supervisor and other referees, and performance in the Fellowship Examination or WBA will be considered during the review.
16.11.6 The review may result in one or more of the following:
16.11.6.1 More frequent CPA reports.
16.11.6.2 A requirement for remedial activities to address areas of weakness.
16.11.6.3 Extension of the required CPA period.
16.11.1.4 The applicant being recommended by the FPM IMGS committee to the MBA and the AMC (in Australia) or the MCNZ (in New Zealand) for withdrawal from the IMGS assessment process. The FPM Board will be notified of applicants who have been withdrawn from the Process.
16.11.6.5 Change to a different category. See Regulation 23.6.3.
16.12 Applicants will be recommended for specialist recognition following satisfactory completion of all requirements specified by the FPM and will be eligible to apply for admission to Fellowship of FPM by assessment.
16.13 An applicant may request reconsideration and subsequent review of the FPM’s decision. This latter decision may be formally appealed in accordance with ANZCA’s Reconsideration, Review and Appeals Process (see regulation 13.1).
16.14 Any IMGS Assessment not completed satisfactorily within four years (FTE) from the date of the initial interview, taking into account Regulations 23.8.8 and 23.11, will lapse and the AMC/MCNZ will be notified.
16.15 Interpretation and Non-Binding Decisions
16.15.1 Any decision, approval, consent or the exercise of any discretion by the FPM or other committee or authority under Regulation 16 will be considered on a case-by-case basis, having regard to the particular circumstances of each case.
16.15.2 Notwithstanding Regulation 16, FPM Board may exercise or dispense other decisions after consideration of relevant circumstances.
16.15.3 Any such decision, approval, consent or exercise of discretion will not be binding on any other or future decisions or set any precedent for other or future decisions regarding Regulation 16.
16.16 Communications
All enquiries, applications, and communications regarding Regulation 16 must be made in writing and addressed to the General Manager, Faculty of Pain Medicine, Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, 630 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
17. OTHER PROVISIONS
17.1 Save as expressly provided in these Regulations, the Faculty and the Board and their respective meetings, shall be governed by the Constitution of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists as if a reference therein to the College were a reference to the Faculty, and a reference therein to the Council were a reference to the Board with such modifications as may be consistent with the intent of these Regulations
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