ANZCA welcomes NSW healthcare inquiry findings

The long-awaited NSW Special Commission of Inquiry into Healthcare Funding report is a significant opportunity to strengthen and future-proof the NSW public health system, ANZCA President Professor David Story said.

ANZCA was one of 200 organisations that made submissions to the inquiry that ran for over 18 months. 

Professor Story commended the inquiry’s recognition of the need for enhanced collaboration between governments and specialist medical colleges.

“We strongly support the recommendation to engage colleges more closely in system reform, standards, education, and workforce planning as we play a vital role in setting standards, providing training and assessment, and ensuring high-quality and safe patient care.

“However, we are concerned about the potential implications that some recommendations may have on standards, education and training, and look forward to working constructively with the NSW Government to ensure these aspects are fully considered.”

As part of the inquiry’s work, ANZCA has contributed to multiple targeted information discovery meetings, detailed witness statement preparation and hearing attendances.

In the past two years alone, ANZCA has responded to submission requests from NSW Health, the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, and the Medical Board of Australia, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to engagement and reform.

“We welcome the inquiry’s report and the opportunity it presents to improve the delivery of safe, high-quality care to patients across NSW,” Professor Story said.

“We’re also pleased that the report confirms a shortfall in anaesthesia specialists compared with available positions, which is generally accepted in the NSW health community.

“As a college, we remain deeply committed to supporting patients, health systems, and our healthcare workforce to ensure the best possible outcomes for all.”

It is affirming that Commissioner Justice Richard Beasley made special note of ANZCA’s work on regional workforce issues. 

The inquiry report notes that while there are challenges in specialist training networks and hospital accreditation processes it singles out ANZCA for creating an “innovative model” of accreditation with a system of “satellite facilities that are not accredited themselves but operate under another facility’s accreditation to deliver particular training requirements.”

Professor Story thanked the ANZCA NSW Regional Committee Co-chairs Dr Frances Page and Dr Sharon Tivey, and Dr Michelle Moyle and Dr Mark Priestley for their involvement in the inquiry on behalf of the college.

“ANZCA will continue collaborating with key stakeholders to help shape a responsive and sustainable healthcare system that prioritises patient safety, clinical excellence, and workforce wellbeing,” Professor Story said.

“ANZCA does not have a direct remit regarding employment, award or employer workforce matters, however over the last few years it is becoming increasingly apparent that workforce issues in NSW are continuing to undermine quality of care and workforce wellbeing. The college has worked closely with NSW anaesthetists to ensure patient and anaesthetist safety and wellbeing.”