Inclusion and diversity
We believe that all forms of discrimination are unacceptable, and can negatively impact the health and wellbeing of our trainees, fellows, staff, and the wider community.
Discrimination against individuals or a group including trainees, staff and fellows of the college, causes a negative impact on their mental and physical well-being. We recognise that anyone may have experienced this themselves or may have experienced this within their community.
As the membership organisation for more than 7000 specialist doctors and 1500 specialists-in-training supported by more than 100 staff, we have a responsibility to support those affected through those challenges so they can meet their responsibilities to their patients and the community.
Find out what we're doing to advocate for - and improve - inclusion and diversity in all areas of anaesthesia and pain medicine practice.
In short, diversity is the representation of different people and inclusion is ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities.
In recognition of our diverse workforce we continue to support work throughout the college in areas of Indigenous health, gender equity, reconciliation, cultural safety, population health and much more. Our goal is for our fellowship to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.
Our workforce consists of trainees, fellows and specialist international medical graduates (SIMGs) and we recognise that within these cohorts, are a wide range of people from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
The college has a number of initiatives supporting and promoting diversity and inclusion such as;
Conferences, meeting and events
- A code of conduct for all ANZCA meetings
- Promotion of gender equity in speaker and panellist numbers
- Provision of culturally diverse catering options
- Childcare and feeding facilities are available at the Annual Scientific Meeting
- Feeding facilities at ANZCA House and at the regional offices upon request
Board representation
- A diversity assessment matrix to ensure there is a broad and diverse representation on committees
Recognition of changing life circumstances
Support for Indigenous trainees and fellows
- Financial support is provided to Indigenous anaesthesia and pain medicine trainees wishing to participate in the ANZCA primary and final exam preparation courses
- Two new Indigneous fellows are nominated to attend the Emerging Leaders Conference each year
- Indigenous medical students and pre-vocational doctors with an interest in anaesthesia or pain medicine are invited to apply for a number of financially supported places at the ANZCA Annual Scientific Meeting
Education
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Supporting marriage equality
In 2017, ANZCA joined other medical colleges to support marriage equality in Australia by releasing the following statement:
The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) considers all forms of discrimination unacceptable, with the potential to negatively impact on the health and well-being of our trainees, fellows, staff, and the wider community. To this end, the ANZCA Council collectively supports marriage equality and urges our members, trainees and staff to give serious consideration to the health impact of ongoing discrimination.
Background to this decision
ANZCA Council recognises and acknowledges the diversity of views and beliefs within our community. We oppose discrimination in any form; and support diversity, and the health and well-being of our trainees, members, and staff. Doctors who are suffering stress or depression are less effective in delivering care for their patients.
In the ANZCA Constitution, the objectives of the college include to "advocate on any issue that affects the ability of Members to meet their responsibilities to patients and to the community" (1.1.4), and "provide advice and support to Members to assist them in establishing and maintaining an appropriate work/life balance and to meet effectively the challenges of professional life" (1.1.18).
In 2017, our ANZCA Bullying Discrimination and Sexual Harassment (BDSH) Working Group published Prevent, Protect, Respond, a report on BDSH in healthcare environments. The first line of this report states that “ANZCA considers bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment (BDSH) to be unacceptable behaviours and is committed to ensuring that it is appropriately addressed into the future.”
Our BDSH policy also states: “The college considers bullying, discrimination and harassment unacceptable behaviour that will not be tolerated under any circumstances.”
Beyond discrimination in the workplace, the ANZCA document, Supporting Anaesthetists’ Professionalism and Performance states: “ANZCA considers all forms of bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment to be unacceptable.”
Therefore, after careful consideration, ANZCA Council members, in their positions as leaders of our college, strongly supported the need to represent these values to support marriage equality.
As of 9 December 2017, marriage equality is protected in law in both Australia and New Zealand.
Gender equity
Gender equity has ethical, social, and economic benefits to our fellows, trainees, specialist international medical graduates (SIMGs), and the broader community. Find out what we're doing...
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