Advocacy at RACS

RACS has a strong history of advocacy across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to effecting positive change in healthcare and the broader community by adopting informed and principled positions on issues of public health. We regularly advocate for these positions across several mediums—including through the media, public campaigns, or by negotiating directly or providing written submissions to both government and non-government agencies. Over the last two months, some of the advocacy work the College has undertaken includes:

TGA Mandatory Reporting Consultation Earlier in December RACS lodged a response to a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) discussion paper on mandatory reporting of medical device related adverse events by healthcare facilities. Currently only device manufacturers and sponsors are required to report such events. RACS’ view was that healthcare facilities should be required to report certain pre-determined serious device-related adverse events. This is because in many cases, only the users of medical devices will be aware of adverse events, particularly non-fatal adverse events. However, RACS was clear that the threshold for reporting and the administrative activities needed to make a report, should not make reporting burdensome upon practice. RACS also argued that funding or other support should be provided to ensure facilities have the capacity to fulfil reporting requirements and that practitioners, in the absence of gross negligence should be indemnified to encourage disclosure of all relevant adverse medical device events. RACS’ full submission can be provided upon request. South Australian 2022 state election As South Australia prepares for its state election, the RACS state committee has sent an election statement to all major political parties, requesting that they detail their policy positions on six key issues relating to the delivery of surgical services. The six key issues identified are: • emergency surgery and ramping • clinician engagement • infrastructure and technology • ongoing COVID-19 response • South Australian Audit of Surgical

Mortality • use of the title Surgeon. Once responses are received the committee will distribute the responses to the local membership. Domestic Violence Symposium 10 November 2022 RACS Trauma Week is an annual event incorporating meetings of the Trauma Committees and a symposium on aspects of trauma management and/or prevention. It was announced that the 2022 symposium will be held in Sydney and the topic for the symposium will be Domestic Violence. The symposium will be convened by Dr Payal Mukherjee FRACS and Dr Ken Harrison FANZCA. Planning is underway for a comprehensive program to address the issue from a surgeon’s perspective. Potential reintroduction of warning signs in NSW for speed cameras In December RACS highlighted in the media that the possible reintroduction in New South Wales (NSW) of warning signs positioned close to mobile speed safety cameras heralds a backward step in road safety. Mobile safety cameras—which detect speeding drivers, drivers holding mobile phones, or failing to wear seat belts—are essential for the protection and safety of all road users but they should not be sign-posted. Dr John Crozier, Chair of the National Trauma Committee of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, warned that failing to demonstrate leadership in this area would result in more deaths on NSW roads.

He said, “Populist appeal and politics are threatening a proven road safety measure, which New South Wales had only recently introduced, following years of leadership by most other jurisdictions in Australia. “Acting on fake news, claiming the primacy of the measure as a revenue raiser, will result in preventable death and serious injuries on our roads if the warning signs are reintroduced. “As surgeons, we see the consequences of injuries is significantly worsened by even minor speeding offences. Removing warning signs encourages drivers to comply with road safety rules, reducing the occurrence of financial penalties, or loss of demerit points. “We are appalled by the prospect of losing the benefit of this reasonable safety measure,” he said.

Want to know more about RACS Advocacy?

Every four to six weeks RACS distributes an Advocacy in Brief newsletter, which includes detailed updates on recent RACS submissions from Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, active consultations, and engagement opportunities, as well as various other items of interest. If you would like to be added to the distribution list for future issues, please email the RACS Policy and Advocacy Team at RACS.Advocacy@surgeons.org