Registration, Accreditation And Support Processes For Overseas Doctors
The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, has welcomed the commencement of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing’s work to explore current registration, accreditation and support processes for overseas-trained doctors.
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25 November 2010
The Minister for Health and Ageing, Nicola Roxon, today welcomed the commencement of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing’s work to explore current registration, accreditation and support processes for Overseas-Trained Doctors (OTDs).
The Gillard Government values the significant contribution made by OTDs in the delivery of health services, particularly in rural and remote areas, and today moved to explore constructive ways to better support these doctors to remain in the Australian workforce.
Minister Roxon reaffirmed the Gillard Government’s commitment to ensuring that the highest standards of safety and quality exist within the health system.
“It is our expectation that all doctors, regardless of where they are trained or come from, meet high professional quality standards set by relevant specialist medical colleges and the Australian Medical Council.”
“Whilst we are committed to increasing the number of GPs in rural and remote areas, we will not do this at the expense of quality and safety standards”, Ms Roxon said.
Recognising the vital role of colleges, the Australian Medical Council and the Medical Board of Australia in setting and maintaining high standards for the training and registration of OTDs, the committee will:
- Explore current administrative processes and accountability measures to determine if there are ways OTDs could better understand colleges’ assessment processes, appeal mechanisms could be clarified and the community better understand and accept registration decisions;
- Report on the support programs available through the Commonwealth and state and territory governments, professional organisations and colleges to assist OTDs to meet registration requirements, and provide suggestions for the enhancement and integration of these programs; and
- Suggest ways to remove impediments and promote pathways for OTDs to achieve full Australian qualifications, particularly in regional areas, without lowering the necessary standards required by colleges and regulatory bodies.
The MBA takes advice from the Australian Medical Council (AMC) and specialist medical colleges on the qualifications and comparability of OTDs.
Further information is available at the committee website: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/haa/overseasdoctors/index.htm
For all media inquiries, please contact the Minister's Office on 6277 7220
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