Accreditation of specialist medical training sites/posts in Australian public hospitals and health facilities
Specialist medical colleges have an important role to ensure that the quality of specialist training in Australia meets the health service needs of the community and trainees.
In June 2023, the AMC held a workshop with specialist medical colleges and jurisdictions to develop a better understanding of the different perspectives on issues related to accreditation of training sites in Australian public hospitals and health facilities. The workshop also commenced discussions about a communication protocol between colleges and jurisdictions.
In a meeting in July 2023 between health ministers, the AMC, and several colleges, Ministers directed that a protocol be advanced as a matter of urgency to improve engagement between all stakeholders. The AMC led the development of the protocol in collaboration with colleges and jurisdictions.
The Communication Protocol has been approved by Health Ministers and forms part of a Ministerial Policy Direction 2023-1 – medical college accreditation of training sites which sets out four aspects of college accreditation processes that the AMC must work with colleges to address:
- An implementation plan regarding the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman’s recommendations (on procedural improvements).
- Develop a communication protocol to clarify and confirm responsibilities for the training and supply of the medical workforce.
- Review current processes to increase consistency and clarify the scope of college processes is to address matters relevant to the delivery of high quality education and training.
- The impact on patient services caused by withdrawal of accreditation, including developing a uniform process for accreditation decisions and review processes.
The AMC will address aspects from the policy direction within the review of standards for specialist medical training.
View the contacts for issues relating to specialist training program accreditation.
