How creative pursuits can improve both patient and practitioner wellbeing
Also inside Lungs in Focus
Everything you need to know about the NLCSP
ASM Countdown A program preview of the Melbourne event
90 Years Young RANZCR reflects on key milestones in College history
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EDITORIAL
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In-House Editor Arizona Atkinson
Information for radiologists and radiation oncologists ahead of the roll-out. Plus, how the program will integrate with the NCSR.
40 Diving into the Archives
The second instalment of RANZCR’s 90th anniversary timeline.
Tributes to Dr Tony Smith and Dr Peter Carr.
Surging On
An update from NZ Branch Chair Dr Jash Agraval.
RANZCR acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We recognise the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to the sky, lands, waters and culture and
acknowledges Māori as tangata whenua and Treaty of Waitangi partners in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Portrait of Prof William Hare, painted by W Mullany.
The top 10 artworks will be displayed at the ASM in Melbourne.
Deadline for artwork submissions 29 August 2025 at 5 pm (AEST)
To enter, email events@ranzcr.edu.au
European Society of Radiology Premium Education Package
RANZCR has partnered with the European Society of Radiology (ESR) to offer members a discount on the ESR Premium Education Package (PEP) which includes access to a comprehensive range of educational resources.
Benefit from expert-led training sessions where renowned professionals share their insights and expertise, offering valuable perspectives on various aspects of radiological practice.
Tailor your learning experience by selecting courses and modules that align with your specific interests, professional goals, and areas of specialisation.
To learn more and access the offer, email members@ranzcr.edu.au
Open Door
Inside the recent Board planning day, and an update on other key College activities.
In my last article I provided an update on progress of the expedited pathway and gave an exposition of the College position. Since that time a second meeting has been held with representatives from the Medical Board of Australia (MBA), Australian Medical Council (AMC) and Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra). At that time it was agreed by all that our prior IMG assessments had consistently documented non-comparability between our training and assessment processes and those of overseas radiologists. I drew attention to differences in curricula and training (e.g. in women’s imaging) underlying some qualifications and stated for the record that RANZCR was unable to recommend any comparable qualifications to the expedited pathway.
Representatives of the above regulators acknowledged and accepted this advice but still wished to undertake their own due diligence on qualifications from the UK and Canada. I will keep members updated as matters progress.
Separately, there was also discussion about the new RANZCR defined scope pathway that would allow experienced sub-specialists in interventional radiology, interventional neuroradiology and paediatric radiology to practise within those defined and limited scopes. This was received positively by the above regulatory bodies. Consultations from government and other stakeholders as well as progress of matters such as the expedited pathway and changes to accreditation made 2024 an
unusually busy year. While the number of consultations being held by government and other external stakeholders increased considerably, two other processes also occupied much time of senior College members, the CEO and staff. These are the report and recommendations about accreditation from the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman (NHPO), and the Kruk report and associated expedited pathway.
Members have been advised in detail about the latter by email and in my last Inside News article. In this edition, our CEO Duane Findley will cover accreditation matters and activity arising from the NHPO report. As a result of the above, the Board, senior office bearers and senior staff had little time to consider other important developments that will impact upon the College and its faculties. To remedy this, the Board held a planning day earlier this year to consider topics including:
AI and other future technology
IR and INR
Government and senior health executive activity (and implications for the College)
Theranostics
Our stance within and contribution to the Asia-Pacific region
The College’s role in education, CPD and lifelong learning.
Short presentations on these topics were provided by Board and staff members with expertise and/ or interest in these areas. These covered definition of the nature and scope of the topic, potential impacts and associated implications for the College, healthcare services and health outcomes. Presentations
served as a stimulus for discussion with the intent of facilitating future decision-making by achieving a common understanding among the Board and senior staff. A presentation on early progress of the strategic plan was also given during the day in order to provide context to the above considerations.
This year has seen our new Board chair, Maryjane Crabtree, begin her role and during the first two meetings the Board has benefitted greatly from her experience, expertise in governance and efficient chairing of meetings. Under her stewardship, Board meetings have been highly effective and have exhibited focus, energy, expertise, integrity and much good humour.
This year sees the 90th year of the College and our 75th Annual Scientific Meeting to be held in Melbourne from 23-25 October. A compelling program covering key topics and advances in our professions is being prepared by the convenors. It is fitting that we celebrate these two anniversaries and the significant role of the College in leading and advocating for radiologists, radiation oncologists and their patients. I encourage all of you to attend what promises to be a memorable event. IN
Prof John Slavotinek
Consultations in Context
RANZCR has a vital role in responding to government consultations and reports to protect quality training and accreditation standards.
Duane Findley, CEO
Governments, ministers and bureaucrats commission and write a large number of reports, reviews, discussion papers and proposals. To test these documents for unintended consequences, uncover alternative approaches, understand objections, and to gain consensus over sometimes controversial matters, these bodies release the documents to a narrow (closed) or wide (open) range of groups for comment. This is known as a consultation process.
A critical role played by RANZCR’s Policy, Advocacy and Standards team is to collect, read and consider member feedback, and provide well-researched and insightful commentary as part of this consultation process. This absorbs considerable time, resources and energy from staff, SIGs and our members, but RANZCR has achieved many successes over the years through engaging in this process and doing so reinforces RANZCR’s standing as the premier source of knowledge and insight in our sector. Some of these consultations leave RANZCR in an invidious position. Across Australia and New Zealand, government and bureaucrats are
becoming increasingly enamoured with consul”told”ions, where a template response document is designed to either only elicit support for the advocated position, or to only permit comment on selected parts of the proposed position. A compressed timeframe for responses is not conducive to a considered response.
In some of these consultations, there appears to be no real interest in changing the position being presented in the consultation paper, but if we don’t respond thoughtfully and with supporting evidence, the government will later claim that because RANZCR did not respond, we must have supported their position. So, more frequently of late, RANZCR has to perform under tight deadlines, juggling competing priorities, to reinforce our position.
NHPO Report
The National Health Practitioner Ombudsman (NHPO) report focuses on issues raised by health department bureaucrats surrounding the accreditation of training sites by the colleges. The Australian Medical Council (AMC) has been directed by the Medical Board of Australia and Ahpra to work with the colleges to implement 23 broad recommendations contained in the NHPO report.
The same bureaucrats who contributed to the NHPO report were formed into an oversight body called the Health Workforce Taskforce (HWT) and this group has final say on the way the NHPO recommendations are implemented, while they report back to the Ministerial Council that originally commissioned the report. If this
sounds confusing, that is because it is. But in essence this process allows the hospital sites that the colleges are meant to accredit for trainee training to dictate how the standards for that accreditation will be designed and implemented.
While some of the changes are timely and necessary, there is a concern that the HWT is removing quantifiable accreditation measures to make it more difficult to demand changes at an accredited site when training and supervision standards are not at an acceptable level.
The HWT recently demanded changes in the way that colleges assess appropriate supervision of trainees in hospitals, demanding that mandated ratios of supervisors to trainees be banned. The HWT has similarly demanded that there be no mandated protected time for supervisors and trainees to conduct training or undertake study, although we are still attempting to get clarity on what this means in practice. The HWT is not offering any alternative to ratios or protected time, just telling the colleges to “find something different” that the HWT agrees with.
The AMC recently held a full-day workshop with the colleges to work through the accreditation issues of ratios and protected time. The results of that workshop have been submitted to the HWT and we are waiting to hear on the outcomes. RANZCR has continued to advocate for appropriately high standards at any site that wishes to employ RANZCR trainees.
The Art of Mental Health
Research shows having an artistic hobby isn’t simply an enjoyable pastime it’s genuinely good for mental health and wellbeing. Here’s why, and how you can get creative if it has been a while.
Something special is happening in the mental health space in Western Australia. Late last year a world-first, state-wide campaign called Good Arts, Good Mental Health was launched to encourage people to be more proactive about engaging with artistic activities. The campaign builds on pioneering, multi-award-winning research led by The University of Western Australia (UWA) which shows that getting a weekly ‘dose of art’ boosts mental wellbeing1. “This campaign is about empowering people to identify, and then do, the arts activities that make them feel good, because this could make a difference to their mental health,” explained Dr Christina Davies, director of the UWA Centre for Arts, Mental Health & Wellbeing and the project’s chief investigator. “As well as being something we do for fun, entertainment or
Plus, emerging research also suggests that art therapybased interventions hold promise for mitigating the specific symptoms of psychosocial distress and emotional exhaustion, or burnout, that healthcare workers frequently experience3
Mastering the Art of Art
It’s important to note that a wide range of artistic pursuits ‘count’ as art, as far as your mental health is concerned. “When you say art, people think of painting or drawing but the arts are so much more,” said Dr Davies, “including reading books, listening to music, singing, dancing, colouring, craft, photography, film, sewing, woodwork and attending live performances.”
News like that doesn’t surprise Dr Rose Thomas, a clinical radiologist and convenor of RANZCR’s upcoming ASM, who sings in a gospel choir away from work. “I’ve been with the choir going on nine years now, since I moved to Melbourne and for me, choir practice is a weekly ritual and release of tensions,” shared Dr Thomas. “It’s an environment that’s completely different from work—no responsibilities and a group of people from varied walks of life and without expectations. Singing in a choir also requires a degree of cooperation and vulnerability. It has seen me through some tough times.”
How to Make it Work
This three-step plan is a good place to start if you’d like to begin using art as a way to improve or maintain your mental health and wellbeing.
1: Aim for two hours of art a week.
Or more if you have time. According to the UWA research, a minimum of two hours spent engaging with art, spread across the week, is the sweet spot when you’re trying to reap the rewards, mental health wise.
Not sure how you’d make that happen in an average work week? Head to www.goodartsgoodmentalhealth. com.au and check out the ‘5-day arts challenge’, which includes suggestions for all five workdays as well as some useful resources to help you meet your goals.
2: Get creative about being creative.
As you’ve just read, a wide range of arty hobbies and activities tick the box as art, so don’t feel confined to the usual suspects, such as sketching or painting.
Drawing on her own experience, Dr Thomas had this advice: “Art is an expression of yourself, your experiences and a moment in time—there’s no right or wrong. So, if you have an interest or curiosity, I say jump right in! There are a lot of opportunities to dabble in creative and artistic pursuits these days—it might be a ‘paint and sip’ experience or a taster dancing class. There’s no need to buy lots of art supplies or get loads of gear.”
3: Focus on the process.
If your activity of choice does involve creating art in some shape or form, whether it’s painting a picture, attending a pottery class or trying your hand at upcycling a piece of furniture, don’t get too hung up on how successful the end result is—or isn’t. According to the UWA research, you don’t have to be good at art for the arts to be good for you. Instead, it’s all about having a go and giving the part of your brain responsible for creativity and emotional expression the chance to shine.
“We spend most of our working day hammering the left side of our brain—the logical and analytical side. Grow your right hemisphere,” said Dr Thomas. “In other words, give your inner voice a chance to be heard and grow.” IN
Quinn EA, Millard E, Jones JM. Group arts interventions for depression and anxiety among older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nat. Mental Health 3, 374–386 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-024-00368-1
Tjasink M, Keiller E, Stephens M, et al. Art therapy-based interventions to address burnout and psychosocial distress in healthcare workers—a systematic review. BMC Health Serv Res 23, 1059 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-02309958-8
RANZCR is hosting its first ASM Art Contest and inviting submissions of paintings, hand drawings, sculpture and photography. The top 10 artworks will be displayed at the 75th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) in Melbourne, taking place from 23-25 October 2025. Visit www.ranzcrasm.com/asm-artcontest/ for more information.
Access for All
Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in Australia, affecting 1 in 7 women. The College was recently contacted by Carol Taylor, a woman with quadriplegia, about the challenges she experienced in accessing a breast imaging service. Carol’s story raises several important issues that highlight some of the barriers faced by people with a disability in accessing medical imaging services.
In December 2024, Carol Taylor rang a local medical imaging service to book a mammogram. Although there is no family history of breast cancer and she had no symptoms, she is over 50 and feels it’s important to be proactive in checking her breast health. Carol has quadriplegia after severing her spinal cord more than 20 years ago, and is very well-acquainted with medical procedures and professionals, and wellversed in how to carefully manage her health. She is also a lawyer, wife, mum (post injury) and disability advocate.
“When I rang to make the appointment, I explained that I use a wheelchair as I am paralysed from the chest down, and unable to walk or transfer independently,” said Carol.
“After the receptionist spoke with the radiographer about my situation, I confirmed that the arms of my wheelchair could be lifted out of the way and the appointment was subsequently made.”
“Then, just days away from attending the clinic, I was informed that my appointment had been cancelled because it was a requirement that I be able to transfer from my wheelchair to another chair and also be able to stand transfer to a table for the ultrasound,” she said. “As I had clearly explained my situation over
the phone, I didn’t understand why the appointment couldn’t go ahead.” Carol subsequently followed up with BreastScreen, whose guidelines stated that someone who uses a wheelchair needs to be able to stand transfer into a standard wheelchair. “In my case, my chair can raise me high enough to reach the mammogram machine. However no one asked me what I’m capable of, and whether there would be a way to accommodate my needs."
Carol asserts that hers is not an isolated incident and that people with disabilities face exclusion from vital medical services, a situation that puts their health at unnecessary risk. “Having a mammogram has always been a struggle. Previous attempts had to be undertaken in a private hospital setting, as they didn’t have a standing
“Clearly, you can’t build a one size fits all every person, and certainly every person with a disability, has needs that are specific to them. However, it is critical that people aren’t turned away, and that everyone can access medical imaging services.”
transfer policy, but this is needlessly expensive. My husband needs to assist, physically pushing and pulling my breasts as close as possible to the machine,” said Carol. “Then, despite their best efforts, every mammogram result has come with the caveat that, ‘We did the best we could, given the circumstances.’”
When Carol finally managed to find a radiographer who could undertake the mammogram, she was able to raise her wheelchair to the level of the imaging machinery and also lay her wheelchair flat and didn’t need to transfer.
On this occasion though, the mammogram found a 3cm tumour in her left breast—following a recall appointment, two biopsies and three pathology results, which were all successfully undertaken by laying her wheelchair flat. The results of these tests showed that Carol has aggressive cancer.
“I did not even have a lump, yet it was the doctor’s view that this had been growing for approximately 12 months,” said Carol. “If I had been put off by the receptionist at the first clinic, or by the guidelines I read, I would not know that I have aggressive triple positive breast cancer and it might not have been found until it was at Stage 4.
"I can’t help but wonder how many people with disability have wheeled away undiagnosed.
“This diagnosis means six rounds of chemotherapy over the next six months. I’ve been told to expect to lose my hair, eyebrows and eyelashes, in addition to nausea, vomiting and bowel disruption. Post chemotherapy I will undergo surgery; however what that looks like, whether it’s lumpectomy or mastectomy, is not yet known but will likely be followed by radiation treatment and a period of five years of hormone blockers,” she said.
While understandably daunted by the journey ahead, Carol is thankful that she has a much better prognosis than if she had been unable to have the mammogram.
Meaningful Change
Carol is determined that her experience be the catalyst for meaningful change so that other people with a disability do not continue to face similar obstacles.
“Education is essential for all medical staff. The person with a disability, with the lived experience, needs to be listened to and their perspective respected. They know their needs and capabilities better than anyone,” Carol said. She asserted that creating inclusive and accessible services need not be hard, and said that there are some simple things that should be considered by any medical imaging facility, whether public or private.
“Make sure that the room where the imaging is taking place is big enough to accommodate both a manual and a powered wheelchair. But even before that, the first thing that needs to change is the social bias that exists about people with disabilities. This needs to begin from the first phone call. Ask every person who rings the clinic whether they have a disability and what their capability and needs are, and then discuss how the practice can best accommodate them,” she said. “Clearly, you can’t build a one size fits all—every person, and certainly every person with a disability, has needs that are specific to them. However, it is critical that people aren’t turned away, and that everyone can access medical imaging services.”
“The greatest gift 2025 has given me is the awareness of this otherwise silent assassin. Sadly, it has only come about because of my own insistence, and that should not be the norm,” said Carol. “I hope that this article starts a conversation about what can be done to improve the situation for people like me. It shouldn’t be this difficult and it’s just lucky that I don’t give up easily, otherwise my prognosis would have been very different,” she said. “I’m certain I’m not alone and I hope that in sharing my story, I can save another person with disability from a similar experience and enable them to more easily access this vital medical imaging service." IN
RANZCR recommends regular breast cancer screening for all women, and emphasises that informed decisionmaking in breast health is vital, as is equitable and inclusive access for all women seeking this service.
It’s time to think Aorta
Dr Geoff Lester is an aortic dissection survivor, internal medicine and vascular physician trainee, researcher and Monash University senior lecturer. He is passionate about changing the face of cardiovascular disease through his advocacy. Here’s his story.
“This is a disease with disproportionate morbidity and mortality and comparatively very little awareness.”
This is a story about a patient I’ve met during my medical training. It starts with a boy and ends with a haircut.
This is about a young man who grew up in a low-middle-income family in rural South Australia. He had a regular childhood with his healthy parents and three siblings, enjoying sports and music.
Lacking motivation and direction, he only scraped through Year 12. He thought he might become a pilot but failed the medical due to a sports injury. So, he took some gap years, travelling and working overseas, but struggled to envision a career. He dabbled with engineering and law before finishing economics, intending to become financially ‘wealthy’.
On the evening of 7 December 2009 (the year he was due to graduate with his economics degree), while working at the local sports gym, he felt indigestion, dizzy and nauseated. Initially dismissing the symptoms, they didn’t abate even after he sat down for an hour. He intended to drive home, but a friend convinced him to go to hospital—and he agreed only because the waiting room was empty. The moment he went to the triage desk, he felt a sudden onset of chest pain so severe it floored him. Within 30 minutes, thanks to quick-thinking ED and radiology staff, he would find out why. He had sustained a dissection of the thoracic aorta.
Surgery was needed to repair it and, naively, the patient said, “Can we book it for next week?” He soon found out this was an emergent and life-threatening condition—one that most people do not survive—and called his mother to let her know, fearful this might be their last conversation.
With that, his life entirely at the mercy of the surgeon, he underwent emergency open heart surgery at the age of 24. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it.
At least, not as we’ve come to know him, because his old self died.
This story is not about a directionless 24-yearold economist. This is about a man who completely changed that day. That man is me.
A New Path
The following day, I woke up in the ICU drowsy, intubated, with family around me. I gave the thumbs up. It hurt to breathe and move, but I was alive and moving all limbs.
Recovery was hard. Breathing, coughing and walking hurt. Slowly, I regained the strength to breathe, feed, bathe, walk, and learn how to manage my warfarin for my new mechanical aortic valve.
Before this, the idea of a career in medicine seemed only possible to those who had their lives put together, the top echelon of my peers. But I had a newfound motivation—to discover how this happened and prevent it from happening to others.
I frantically started studying with a commitment and purpose I’d never felt before. But before I could submit my application, my body had other ideas.
Eight weeks into my journey to medical school entry, I had another bout of chest pain. Reluctantly and with encouragement, I went to the emergency department to find another tear that now extended up bilateral carotids, putting me at severe risk of stroke.
I simultaneously felt unlucky and lucky. Here I was at the crux of a career I truly felt passionate about, with the threat of it being taken away so easily.
I survived my second open heart surgery in less than three months. My chest had more zips than a pair of jeans, but I was more determined than ever.
Despite average, directionless grades, I had this story and knew what it was to be a patient, so I knew I could pass the interview and successfully enter medical school.
I met my now-wife, Trish, at medical school and fell in love with her equal passion for life and medicine.
But before I could start day one of physician training, a stroke at the gym would leave me with complete rightsided paralysis. This time, it truly hit hard. I was a kid before then; I hadn’t made it anywhere; therefore, I didn’t have much to lose. My wife prepared to quit her medical career and care for me.
But, thankfully, gradually, my function returned, and I walked out of the hospital. Safe for another week.
Although my wife still claims my love of house music is residual evidence of my stroke.
Bad luck strikes in three and, unfortunately, a short week later, I had another bout of chest pain. The more setbacks I had, the more reluctant I was to drag myself back to the hospital. But my wife was persistent. I had a leaking coronary aneurysm from my last heart surgery. It was risky to operate on. “If that bursts, that’s the end of you,” I was told. Based on this story’s trajectory, you can all imagine what happened. Yes, it burst. I had another open-heart surgery, and I survived. I bought a house and moved to Melbourne with my wife, and we adopted an ex-racing greyhound named Winston to swap tragic come-frombehind stories during our respective retirements.
That was life until 2022, when I experienced yet another bout of chest pain. After another reluctant trip to the ED, I underwent my fourth emergent open-heart surgery. I now walk the same wards where I once recovered and completed my thesis on Australia’s first epidemiology and cost of the very disease I was suffering from.
I told you this story starts with a boy and ends with a haircut. This is the haircut.
Eleven months ago, I ignored a headache that ended up
being bilateral subdural haematomas requiring three burr holes. I got by, knowing I would tell this joke… I needed the procedure like a hole in the head.
I don’t consider myself unlucky; in fact, I consider myself incredibly lucky that I was not one of the terrible statistics of this disease. But why? Not, ‘Why me?’ Instead, ‘Why and how does this condition happen to anyone?’
Now I’m seeking the answers for the 2% of the general population and up to 10% of those aged older than 65 who experience acute aortic syndrome (AAS)1–3. Answers for the 21% of patients who die before reaching ED4 and the 1-2% who die per hour from symptom onset5,6. Most importantly, answers for the one in three patients who fail to have their dissection diagnosed within 24 hours7 and are disproportionately represented in Australian Coroners Courts. Recent Australian work by Paratz et al. looking at 523,000 echocardiograms strongly supported international data that found up to 50% of thoracic aortic dissections (TAD) occur at previously ‘normal diameters’8–10. This confirms that an aneurysm reflected by a widened mediastinum on the chest radiograph does not reliably exclude progression to or presence of dissection or rupture11
Dr Geoff Lester pictured in recovery and as a Heart Foundation ambassador.
“I’m seeking answers for the one in three patients who fail to have their dissection diagnosed within 24 hours7 and are disproportionately represented in Coroners Courts.”
Indeed, in my thesis (publications in review), we found that Australian incidence rates are increasing, but diagnoses are slowly improving. Compared with abdominal AAS, thoracic AAS comprise one-third of the events but two-thirds of the deaths. Approximately one in 350 Australians are at risk of TAD, and approximately 400 people die annually, with women (like with other forms of cardiovascular disease) having worse outcomes. The hospital length of stay of TAD patients is eight times longer than the age-matched mean, and total medical and lost productivity costs are more than $400 million annually. This is a disease with disproportionate morbidity and mortality and comparatively very little awareness.
In the medically litigious society of the United States, research showed that ‘failure to diagnose’ was successfully argued in 64% of litigated AAS cases, primarily against emergency and internal medicine physicians, cardiologists and radiologists (12%)12,13
So, Gareth Owens, a UK Marfan patient with a delayed diagnosis of type B dissection and previously unremarkable imaging, decided to act. He began THINK Aorta as a patient-led awareness campaign in the UK, and it has now spread to the US, Spain, Egypt, Italy, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. Its message is simple: failure to THINK about the aorta is a failure to diagnose. The UK patient campaign led to the RCEM and the RCR developing a guideline containing since-adopted recommendations, including that the ED and radiology need pre-agreed diagnostic protocols and sites need 24/7 availability of CT aortograms14. This is given that CT aortograms are the gold-standard modality for acute diagnosis. Research from Mclatchie et al. supports the principle of considering AAS, finding that clinical suspicion outperforms all previously accepted risk scores, including ADD-RS, AORTA and RIPP15 .
Regarding THINK Aorta in Australia and New Zealand, tertiary centres perform far better at diagnosis and treatment than secondary and regional centres16. Thus, we need uniform leadership, endorsement and stakeholder support to build awareness and remind our colleagues to THINK Aorta and save lives… just like mine. IN
References:
1. Svensjö S, Bengtsson H, Bergqvist D. Thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm and dissection: an investigation based on autopsy. Br J Surg. 1996;83(1):6871. doi:10.1002/bjs.1800830122
2. Oshin OA, Scurr JR, Fisher RK. Nationwide study of the outcome of popliteal artery aneurysms treated surgically (Br J Surg 2007; 94: 970-977). Br J Surg. 2007;94(11):1437; author reply 1437-8. doi:10.1002/bjs.6063
3. Vlak MH, Algra A, Brandenburg R, Rinkel GJ. Prevalence of unruptured intracranial aneurysms, with emphasis on sex, age, comorbidity, country, and time period: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Neurol. 2011;10(7):626-636. doi:10.1016/S1474-4422(11)70109-0
4. Bonser RS, Pagano D, Haverich A, Mascaro J. Controversies in Aortic Dissection and Aneurysmal Disease. Vol 9781447156.; 2014. doi:10.1007/978-1-44715622-2
5. Hirst AJ, Johns VJ, Kime S. Dissecting aneurysm of the aorta: a review of 505 cases. Medicine. 1958;37(3):217-279.
6. Criado FJ. Aortic dissection: A 250-Year Perspective. Tex Heart Inst J. 2010;9(3):131.
7. Lovatt S, Wai C, Schwarz K, et al. American Journal of Emergency Medicine Misdiagnosis of aortic dissection : A systematic review of the literature. American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2022;53:16-22. doi:10.1016/j. ajem.2021.11.047
8. Pape LA, Tsai TT, Isselbacher EM, et al. Aortic diameter >5.5 cm is not a good predictor of type A aortic dissection observations from the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissection (IRAD). Circulation. 2007;116(10):11201127. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.702720
9. Trimarchi S, Jonker FHW, Hutchison S, et al. Descending aortic diameter of 5.5 cm or greater is not an accurate predictor of acute type B aortic dissection. Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. 2011;142(3):e101-e107. doi:10.1016/j.jtcvs.2010.12.032
10. Paratz ED, Nadel J, Humphries J, et al. The aortic paradox: a nationwide analysis of 523 994 individual echocardiograms exploring fatal aortic dissection. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2024;25(10):1423-1431. doi:10.1093/ehjci/jeae140
11. Harris KM, Strauss CE, Eagle KA, et al. Correlates of delayed recognition and treatment of acute type a aortic dissection: The international registry of acute aortic dissection (IRAD). Circulation. 2011;124(18):1911-1918. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.110.006320
12. Palaniappan A, Sellke F. ADULT : PROFESSIONAL AFFAIRS Medical malpractice litigations involving aortic dissection. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2022;164(2):600608. doi:10.1016/j.jtcvs.2020.10.064
13. Choinski K, Sanon O, Tadros R, Koleilat I, Phair J. Review of malpractice lawsuits in the diagnosis and management of aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections. Published online 2022:1-7. doi:10.1177/15385744211026455
14. Bannister T. Diagnosis of thoracic aortic dissection in the emergency department. Royal College of Emergency Medicine and The Royal College of Radiologists Best Practise Guideline. 2024. Accessed April 14, 2025. https:// www.rcemlearning.co.uk/foamed/diagnosis-of-thoracicaortic-dissection-in-the-emergency-departmentguideline/
15. Mclatchie R, Reed MJ, Freeman N, et al. Diagnosis of acute aortic syndrome in the emergency department (DAShED) study : an observational cohort study of people attending the emergency department with symptoms consistent with acute aortic syndrome. Published online 2024:136-144. doi:10.1136/emermed-2023-213266
16. Aditya E. Is rural status associated with adverse outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for an acute type-A aortic dissection: A study in Western Australia. Heart Lung Circ. 2023;32:S18. doi:10.1016/j. hlc.2023.04.054
Geoff is a Heart Foundation ambassador, board member of Hearts4Hearts and leads THINK Aorta in Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong. To find out more, visit www.aorta.org.au and www.thinkaorta.com.au
Anders Sörman-Nilsson FUTURIST
A globally renowned futurist and award-winning keynote speaker, Anders Sörman-Nilsson helps organisations future-proof in the age of AI, digital transformation, and sustainability. As the founder of the think tank Thinque, he advises top brands like Apple, Google, Meta, and McKinsey with strategic foresight and actionable insights. A TEDGlobal member, author of three books, and trusted thought leader featured in Forbes and the BBC, Anders decodes complex trends into inspiring strategies that empower audiences to lead with clarity in an ever-changing world. Early Bird Registration Closes: Monday 7 July 2025 ranzcrasm.com Celebrating 90 years of pushing
Sights Set on Melbourne
Registrations are now open for RANZCR’s 75th Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM). Our program will reflect on our rich history while looking ahead to the future of our professions—here are a few highlights.
The countdown is on to the 2025 RANZCR ASM, taking place 23–25 October at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Themed ‘Celebrating 90 years of pushing boundaries and defining tomorrow’, the event promises cutting-edge scientific sessions, insightful keynote speakers and interactive discussions. We’re excited to announce that futurist Anders Sörman-Nilsson will be this year’s Nisbet orator, and there are many exciting social events planned to connect with colleagues, industry partners, and local and international thought leaders. Other highlights include anaphylaxis workshops, Lung Cancer Screening workshops and a MATEC Cultural Safety Session. Here, we introduce our 2025 convenors and their respective highlights from the three program streams.
Clinical Radiology
Convenors Dr Jyothirmayi Velaga and Dr Rose Thomas Bringing together the Australian radiology community, the clinical radiology program will cover a diverse range of topics including intimate partner violence and the role of imaging, AI in medical imaging research, sustainability in
imaging, liver MRI elastography, leadership in radiology and radiology research careers. There will be trainee-centric sessions for exam preparation and career planning, subspecialty workshops and an exciting new ‘grand radiology quiz’. Speakers include: Dr Bharti Khurana (US), Dr Andrea Rockall (UK), Prof Luis Marti-Bonmati (Spain), Dr Sudhakar Venkatesh (US), Dr Susan Shelmerdine (UK), A/Prof Charlene Liew (Singapore).
With many special guests sharing their insights and a new-look scientific program, it’s sure to be a memorable and collaborative celebration of RANZCR’s anniversary.
Radiation Oncology
Convenor Prof Wee Loon Ong
This year, the RO program will commence on Wednesday 22 October with two pre-ASM ESTRO contouring workshops (on spine SBRT and liver SBRT contouring).
The program continues with more distinguished speakers (one of the largest line-ups of international speakers), covering a range of tumour streams, including: Prof Amar Kishan (US), Prof Arjun Sahgal (Canada), Prof Reshma Jagsi (US), A/Prof Nina Sanford (US), Prof Jeff Michalski (US), Prof Simon Lo (US),
Prof Upendra Parvathaneni (US), Prof Eleni Gkika (Germany), Dr Simon Boeke (Germany), Prof Soehartati Gondhowiardjo (Indonesia), and Dr Bibek Acharya (Nepal).
For trainees, there is the muchanticipated Varian Prize session (Friday) as well as a jam-packed Trainee Day session (Saturday), featuring didactic lectures, presentations on local and international fellowships, and a brand-new Trainee Quiz session.
IR & INR
Convenor Dr Diederick De Boo
Our dedicated interventional radiology (IR) and interventional neuroradiology (INR) stream is set to include sessions on endovascular management of pulmonary emboli and acute DVT; middle meningeal artery embolisation for cSDH; and endovascular clot retrieval for ischemic stroke, as well as ruptured/elective intracranial aneurysm management.
International speakers include Prof Ziv J Haskal (US) and Prof Afshin Gangi (France). There will also be an update on IR/INR specialty recognition, training program development and accreditation standards. We look forward to welcoming you in Melbourne IN
AUG 2025
RANZCR/ACR EDUCATION CENTRE COURSES 2025
Swissôtel Sydney 68 Market St, Sydney NSW
1-3 August 2025 – HRCT Course
4-6 August 2025 – Emergency Radiology
8-10 August 2025 – MSK
Scan the QR code to register now
3-5 SEP 2025
FROGG 2025
Emporium Hotel, South Bank 267 Grey St, South Brisbane QLD
www.frogg.com.au
22-23 NOV 2025
ParkRoyal Darling Harbour 150 Day St, Sydney NSW
https://na.eventscloud.com/website/85222/ AIRP COURSE Neuroradiology, MSK and Cardiothoracic
15-17 AUG 2025
REMEMBER: EVENTS ARE A GREAT WAY TO GAIN CPD HOURS
RANZCR NZ ASM
Tākina Wellington 50 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington NZ
www.ranzcr2025.co.nz
23-25 OCT 2025
RANZCR ASM
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre 2 Clarendon St, South Wharf VIC
www.ranzcrasm.com
Find details on these events and many more on our website: www.ranzcr.com/whats-on/ events. For regular updates, in addition to the website listing, please “like” and “follow” our RANZCR social media accounts:
If you have any questions relating to any College events, please contact the Events team at events@ranzcr.edu.au
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Enriching Experience
A look at the opportunities experienced by the 2024 RANZCR Thomas Baker Fellow, Dr Aaron Kent, and the ongoing benefits to his practice.
Dr Aaron Kent is the 2024 RANZCR Thomas Baker Fellow and a specialist radiation oncologist at Alfred Health in Melbourne. His success in obtaining the Fellowship opened up a unique opportunity to work with colleagues in the United Kingdom, Switzerland and the United States with the aim of evolving the current practice of radiotherapy for men with prostate cancer in Australia.
His focus on genito-urinary oncology and advanced techniques including brachytherapy earlier culminated in his major research project examining the 15-year clinical and toxicity outcome data for a large cohort of men with prostate cancer treated at The Alfred in Melbourne.
The Thomas Baker Fellowship was a fantastic opportunity to maximise hands-on clinical experience with prostate brachytherapy and stereotactic techniques at high-volume UK clinical centres, including The Christie, The Royal Marsden Hospital and Mount Vernon Cancer Centre, regarded as international leaders in the field.
“The support and funding from the Thomas Baker RANZCR Fellowship presents a fantastic way for Australian clinicians to build experience in international clinics and accelerate the acquisition of new skills, while building important collaborative relationships that
can grow into exciting research opportunities,” said Dr Kent.
Now returned from his Fellowship, Dr Kent is evolving the brachytherapy workflow at The Alfred to streamline the path for patients and ensure accessibility for those living in both metropolitan and regional settings. Dr Kent will co-convene the 2026 Australasian Brachytherapy Group meeting in Melbourne and continues to advocate for this important treatment modality for Australian patients.
“Evolution of clinical practice requires high-quality, multicentre, randomised trials and the Fellowship experience is a key way to build connections and start the conversations that pave the way to such trials,” said Dr Kent. “In conjunction with Swiss colleagues,
we are about to embark upon a Phase II trial exploring the use of stereotactic radiotherapy in the early salvage setting for men with a recurrence of their prostate cancer and hope that this may pave the way to more convenient and effective treatment.”
Dr Kent encourages all late-year Trainees and Fellows to consider applying for RANZCR Fellowships. IN
Scan the QR code for more information about applying for RANZCR’ s range of Fellowships, Grants and Awards.
Dr Aaron Kent pictured outside The Christie; with Dr Maria Serra and Ms Cathy Taylor; and with Prof Peter Hoskin.
Rad Oncs and the NLCSP
What radiation oncologists need to know about the National Lung Cancer Screening Program and how to get involved.
The Australian National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) will be launched on 1 July 2025. This is a targeted program for asymptomatic people aged 50–70 years who smoke currently or have given up in the last 10 years, and have at least a 30 pack-year history. Eligible patients can be referred for a low-dose CT scan by their GP or other medical practitioner. Those with very low-risk findings will be invited to rescreen in two years (see Figure 1) Those with low- to moderate-risk findings have a risk adapted approach to further imaging. RANZCR clinical radiologists have done a superb job in developing radiology protocols for scan acquisition and reporting. The question is how will this impact on radiation oncology?
People with high or very highrisk findings will be referred to a respiratory physician or other clinician linked to a lung cancer multidisciplinary team. For those who work in rural and regional Australia, this clinician could well be a radiation oncologist who treats lung cancer.
All states and territories are currently developing models of care to deal with the downstream effects of screening, i.e. who someone should be referred to for diagnostic work-up, and ultimately treatment if a lung cancer is diagnosed. Most jurisdictions will be setting up some form of ‘nodule clinic’ that ideally will include a respiratory physician, radiologist and lung cancer nurse, and may include cardiothoracic surgeons and radiation oncologists.
Most people with screendetected lung cancers are treated
with surgery. In the International Early Lung Cancer Action Program1 , 3.6% of people with screendetected cancers were treated with radiotherapy, whereas in the Manchester pilot screening program 2 this increased to 22%.
In a cohort of patients seen at a nodule clinic, 28% were treated with radiotherapy3, and this proportion increased once a radiation oncologist joined the clinic. Realworld data shows that the burden of comorbid conditions is high in those undergoing screening.4
Given that outcomes from lung stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) are non-inferior to surgery in propensity-matched cohorts5 6 and SABR has less toxicity than surgery, it will be a viable treatment option for many patients diagnosed with screen-detected cancers—especially in those with comorbidities or who are older.
GPs and other referring practitioners may not be aware of SABR treatment for lung cancer. To address this, there is a specific statement in the National Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines which states that suitability for lung cancer surgery should not be a contraindication for screening, as patients with comorbidities such as significant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or cardiovascular disease can safely be treated with SABR with minimal toxicities.
For those radiation oncologists who treat lung cancer, find out what models of care are being developed in your local area to manage people with high-risk findings from screening. Consider
Prof Shalini Vinod, RANZCR FRO representative to the National Lung Cancer Screening Program Expert Advisory Committee
being part of a nodule clinic. Educate the public, GPs and referring physicians about SABR as a safe and effective treatment option for lung cancer. Given that lung cancer disproportionately affects those from low socio-economic backgrounds, the culturally and linguistically diverse population and First Nations people, it is incumbent upon us to actively contribute to the NLCSP to ensure equitable treatment for all. IN
References:
1. Berlin E, Buckstein M, Yip R, et al. Definitive radiation for stage I lung cancer in a screened population: Results From the I-ELCAP. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2019;104(1):122-26. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2019.01.069 [published Online First: 2019/01/25]
2. Crosbie PA, Balata H, Evison M, et al. Implementing lung cancer screening: baseline results from a community-based ‘Lung Health Check’ pilot in deprived areas of Manchester. Thorax 2019;74(4):405-09. doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/thoraxjnl-2017-211377
3. Milligan MG, Lennes IT, Hawari S, et al. Incidence of Radiation Therapy Among Patients Enrolled in a Multidisciplinary Pulmonary Nodule and Lung Cancer Screening Clinic. JAMA Netw Open 2022;5(3):e224840. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.4840 [published Online First: 2022/04/01]
4. Braithwaite D, Karanth S, Slatore CG, et al. Burden of comorbid conditions among individuals screened for lung cancer. JAMA Health Forum 2025;6(2):e245581-e81. doi: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2024.5581
5. Chang JY, Mehran RJ, Feng L, et al. Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for operable stage I non-small-cell lung cancer (revised STARS): long-term results of a single-arm, prospective trial with prespecified comparison to surgery. The Lancet Oncology 2021;22(10):1448-57. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(21)00401-0
6. de Ruiter JC, van der Noort V, van Diessen JNA, et al. The optimal treatment for patients with stage I nonsmall cell lung cancer: minimally invasive lobectomy versus stereotactic ablative radiotherapy – a nationwide cohort study. Lung Cancer 2024;191:107792. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lungcan.2024.107792
Scan the QR code to register for a workshop or find out more about the NLCSP.
NLCSP Education
Details of RANZCR and ANZSTR’s NLCSP education program, designed to support the radiology sector ahead of the upcoming roll-out.
Dr Miranda Siemienowicz, Chair of ANZSTR and the NLCSP Working Group Steering Committee
The National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) will launch in July 2025. The NLCSP is an Australian Government initiative in partnership with Cancer Australia and the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).
Designed to save lives through early detection, the screening program is a significant step forward in tackling the leading cause of cancer death in Australia for both women and men. The screening program is projected to prevent over 500 deaths each year.
RANZCR and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Thoracic Radiology (ANZSTR) have developed an education program to support the radiology sector through the roll-out of the NLCSP. This includes a webinar series, in-person workshops and online education material to upskill radiologists participating in the NLCSP. The RANZCR NLCSP webinar series was presented by
members of the ANZSTR NLCSP Working Group in the first half of this year. Topics ranged from the Nodule Management Protocol to Cultural Safety in the NLCSP. The webinars provided the radiology sector with essential information on the screening program, as well as introductions to essential NLCSP documents such as the Additional Findings Guidelines and the Structured Clinical Radiology Report. The live presentations were recorded and are available on the RANZCR NLCSP webpage.
In-person workshops capitalised on the knowledge gained from the webinars. These were created specifically for radiologists and trainees looking to establish familiarity with reporting for the NLCSP. Attendees viewed webinar content prior to attending and participated in workstationbased learning, applying the Nodule Management Protocol to full, scrollable CT studies. The workshops were hosted in major cities across Australia, including Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne. Further workshops will be held at the RANZCR Annual Scientific Meeting in Melbourne, 2325 October. Workshops have been facilitated by Philips and Canon. Reporting for the NLCSP does not require in-person workshop attendance. ANZSTR and the College have also produced a series of on-demand education modules (e-modules), available free to RANZCR members. The e-modules comprise a self-contained, selfpaced suite of materials that have
been developed out of the ANZSTR/ RANZCR Lung Cancer Screening Working Group and presented in an approachable, tailored package that will take any radiologist through all the detail needed to report confidently for the NLCSP. For those who have attended a workshop, they stand as an ongoing resource to return to when increasing depth of knowledge of material covered on the day. Alongside the e-modules is a case library of full, scrollable CT studies for practise in applying the NLCSP Nodule Management Protocol in a reporting-like environment. Content covered in the e-modules includes participant referral, measuring and interpreting nodules, additional findings management, structured reporting and the use of artificial intelligence software.
The NLCSP commences next month on 1 July 2025. The radiology education program is readily available on the RANZCR NLCSP website. Materials may be used at any time to either initially upskill or refresh your knowledge of reporting lowdose CT scans for the NLCSP. www. ranzcr.com/our-work/national-lungcancer-screening-program-nlcsp IN
Sydney workshop presenters Dr Siemienowicz and Dr Sally Ayesa with representatives from RANZCR and Philips.
Attendees at the Sydney workshop.
Next Steps
How the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR) will support the NLCSP.
Amir Shahverdi, Radiology Engagement Officer, National Cancer Screening Register Telstra Health
The National Lung Cancer Screening Program aims to reduce illness and deaths from lung cancer by using low-dose computed tomography (low-dose CT) scans to look for lung cancer in high-risk, asymptomatic people aged between 50 to 70 years. The program starts from July 2025 and will be supported by the National Cancer Screening Register (NCSR).
Building on its current role in the bowel and cervical screening programs, the NCSR acts as a safety net for the program and will support delivery of the NLCSP and continued participation by maintaining a national database of low-dose CT scan results. Once enrolled in the program, the NCSR will
remind participants and healthcare providers when screening is due or when action is needed after a scan. It also links all key cancer screening stakeholders (e.g. radiology providers, pathology laboratories and screening participants) creating a health ecosystem that aims to enhance screening quality and outcomes.
Radiologists will play an important role in the NLCSP Once the program begins, radiology providers will be able to perform low-dose CT scans for participants referred for lung cancer screening. Radiologists can access two new MBS item numbers to claim for these scans.
Radiologists will be mandated to send a copy of final screening reports to the NCSR via HL7. A six-month transition period will be in place to allow practices not yet integrated to send reports manually to the NCSR The NCSR will oversee ongoing invitations and reminders, acting as a safety net to ensure follow-up for participants with abnormal screening results. The lowdose CT scan, along with a specialistcompleted NCSR Diagnosis Form, will support participant notifications, program pathways and reporting.
The diagram below illustrates how the program will function:
What’s Changing?
The program will be the first time radiologists will interact with the NCSR and there is a key change to
reporting they should be aware of prior to the NLCSP’s start.
The program’s low-dose CT scan results will be reported using the NLCSP Structured Clinical Radiology Report, available on the RANZCR NLCSP website. The nationwide standardisation was defined by Cancer Australia and RANZCR in consultation with multiple stakeholders, including DoHAC and ANZSTR, incorporating their inputs and feedback.
Next Steps
Here are two things you can do to prepare for the NLCSP:
1. Integrate with the NCSR: All medical imaging practices participating in the NLCSP must be integrated with the NCSR, and will be required to send a copy of final screening reports to the NCSR via HL7. An NCSR radiology integration guide is also available on request.
2. Register for and use the Healthcare Provider (HCP) Portal: Radiologists can access a screening participant’s information, previous program CT scan results and LDCT screening history via the HCP Portal. Radiologists can also delegate authority to their administrative staff to reduce their workload.
If you have further questions, please contact the NCSR radiology team by email at NCSRRadiology@ health.telstra.com IN
Leading with Purpose
Bridie Searle, RANZCR’s First Nations Trainee Liaison Officer, speaks to Dr Gerry Adams about his role as Chair of MATEC, and the committee’s goals for the future.
Dr Gerry Adams, Chair of RANZCR’s Māori, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Empowerment Committee (MATEC), is a name many in the College will recognise—not only for his professional leadership in radiation oncology, but also for his heartfelt commitment to advancing equity and improving access to care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Māori.
A non-Indigenous radiation oncologist based in Bundaberg, Queensland, Dr Adams brings more than eight years of College involvement and two years of service as Dean of the Faculty of Radiation Oncology to his current role. His leadership of MATEC is marked by a clear, values-driven purpose: to support both clinical radiology and radiation oncology professions in delivering more equitable health outcomes for First Nations people across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.
Dr Adams’ motivation is simple and sincere: “I’m just doing what I can to give back,” he said. But the impact of his work tells a far more powerful story.
Practicing in regional Queensland and the Northern Territory has
provided Dr Adams with a firsthand view of the stark inequities in healthcare—particularly those faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people living outside metropolitan areas. He speaks often of the intersection between regionality and Indigeneity in health outcomes, and how these challenges must be tackled through sustained, culturally safe and community-driven approaches.
Under his leadership, MATEC has continued to evolve as a high-level bi-national committee, reporting jointly to the Clinical Radiology and Radiation Oncology Councils. Its goal is not only to improve health equity and access, but also to embed representation and cultural safety across the College’s governance, education and advocacy work.
“For our College to truly advance health equity, we have to listen, we have to learn, and we have to act—alongside First Nations people, not on their behalf,” Dr Adams said. “MATEC is a space where that work is happening.”
Dr Adams’ commitment to equity and cultural safety is also deeply evident in the work happening on the ground in Bundaberg, where he practices. The centre has become a
Dr Gerry Adams, Chair of MATEC
model for how culturally respectful care can be woven into the fabric of service delivery.
Key initiatives led by Dr Adams and his team include:
On-Country Cultural Awareness Training for all staff, developed in partnership with local Elders, offering a half-day tour that recognises and honours the region’s rich Indigenous history.
Indigenous art commissions, including a striking artwork on the clinic verandah representing the local turtle totem and a powerful visual story of the Burnett River and its healing journey in the patient waiting area.
Giving radiation therapy machines locally inspired names, including Mon Repos—named after the nearby turtle breeding ground, and Mee-Bar Miggi—meaning ‘Spirit of the Salt Water Turtle’.
Annual ‘Healing on Country’ Day, first held in March 2025, when community providers are invited to share their services, demystify radiation therapy, and build stronger, trust-based connections
with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and families.
Smoking Ceremonies conducted by local Elders, helping create a space of respect, safety and healing within the clinical environment.
Every detail—from patient advocacy to the inclusive and open approach to community engagement—speaks to Dr Adams’ belief that meaningful change happens through relationships and respect.
The Bundaberg region is home to the Taribelang Bunda, Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang and Bailai peoples, who are the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, sea and waterways. With deep cultural connections to Country, these communities have stewarded the region’s natural and spiritual heritage for thousands of years. The area holds significant meaning—particularly the turtle nesting grounds of Mon Repos, which feature prominently in local Dreaming stories and continue to shape cultural identity today. Through ongoing partnerships
with local Elders and Indigenous organisations, Dr Adams and the Bundaberg team honour these histories and ensure that care is delivered in a way that is grounded in respect, listening and cultural safety.
As Chair of MATEC, Dr Adams is driving an important cultural shift within the College—one that prioritises equity, equality and representation at every level. His leadership continues to inspire conversations not just within radiation oncology and radiology, but across the broader health sector.
His message to colleagues is one of encouragement and shared responsibility: “Whether you’re a trainee, a seasoned clinician, or a member of College staff—there is a role for all of us in this journey.”
With Dr Adams at the helm, MATEC is not only a committee —it’s a movement. And in conjunction with his advocacy, vision and compassion, the College is taking real steps toward a future where First Nations health equity is not just a goal, but a reality. IN
MA R CH 28-29 2 0
INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Professor of Radiology at the Montpellier Cancer Institute
Director of the PINKCC Lab
(Precision Imaging as a New Key in Cancer Care) at IRCM Montpellier, France
Prof Maxime Ronot
Université Paris-Cité
Head of the Department of Medical Imaging at Beaujon University Hospital Clichy, France
Prof Harriet C. Thoeny
Professor and Chairperson of Radiology University and Hospital of Fribourg Switzerland
Friday 27 March
•ARGANZ Workshop
•Young ARGANZ Trainee Day
DESTINATION SPONSOR
Breast Imaging in Focus
An update on the work of the Breast Imaging Advisory Committee (BIAC) from the outgoing Chair.
Ihave been privileged to act as Chair of the Breast Imaging Advisory Committee (BIAC) for the College since 2014 and look forward to welcoming a new Chair in 2025. My colleagues and I are all breast sub-specialists in clinical radiology, working across the various sectors of health, including BreastScreen, public hospitals and private imaging departments. Our group meets quarterly and our current membership, representing Australia and New Zealand, includes:
A/Prof Michelle Reintals (SA)
Dr Peter Downey (SA)
A/Prof Donna Taylor (WA)
A/Prof Helen Frazer (Vic)
Dr Manish Jain (Vic)
Dr Nalini Bhola (NSW)
Dr Jill Evans (VIC)
Dr Vanessa Atienza-Hipolito (WA)
Dr Kaye Wang (NZ)
BIAC is an expert advisory committee which provides advice to the Safety, Quality and Standards Committee and the Faculty of Clinical Radiology on emerging quality, safety and standards of practice issues related to the provision of breast imaging in Australia and New Zealand. The committee also has oversight of the
RANZCR Mammography Quality Assurance Program (MQAP).
BIAC informs and advocates for currency in breast imaging practice and best practice based on medical evidence. Some examples of our work in 2024 include:
Advocating for Medicare item numbers, including the 2024 inclusion of MBS item for breast marker clips.
Developing position statements and guidelines, including the 2024 revised Breast Density position statement, which recommends mandating the reporting of breast density in both screening and diagnostic settings in Australia and New Zealand.
Updated Synoptic Breast Imaging Report Guideline released in 2024, a standardised lexicon utilising the American College (ACR) Breast Imaging Reporting and Data Systems (BI-RADS).
Breast imaging is certainly entering a very exciting phase of growth and change. The Commonwealth Review into the BreastScreen Australia Program is due to release its recommendations in 2025, and I, as Chair of BIAC, have been privileged to be a member of the Expert Advisory Group (EAG).
The challenges we face are always a blend of population health, medicalbased literature, public health funding and, importantly, equity of access to the screening program and diagnostic services across ANZ. The advances in breast imaging are moving to a personalised model, which incorporates riskbased screening and alternative models of technology use, including breast MRI and contrast enhanced mammography. Developments in the artificial intelligence space are addressing radiologist workforce shortages and will potentially also improve sensitivity and specificity. We hope to welcome new members to the BIAC in 2025. IN
For further information on the Breast Imaging Advisory Committee (BIAC) or to express an interest in joining this committee, please contact standards@ ranzcr.edu.au
A/Prof Michelle Reintals
OGSIG and a Cyclone
Co-Chairs of RANZCR’s Obstetric and Gynaecology Special Interest Group (OGSIG) reflect on recent (unexpected) events, and what’s next.
A/Prof Emmeline Lee and Dr Rachael McEwing
There had been some excitement in the OGSIG world in the lead up to our ASM, planned for the Gold Coast on 6 March. Our first international speaker, A/Prof Mathew Leonardi, had touched down in the country after his long flight from Ontario, Canada and all seemed well. Until the news broke of a little rain forecasted. Obviously, things escalated quickly, and when it was clear that Tropical Cyclone Alfred was going to make landfall on the day of the meeting, we had to make the very difficult decision to cancel the onsite arrangements.
Luckily, we rescued Mathew, and got him out just before the airport closed. He kindly suggested a YouTube live event for the day of the cyclone on bowel endometriosis, which meant that the O&G Imaging community were able to gather and watch this together. This can be accessed via this link: www.youtube. com/watch?v=kqyf_vlDZ8w (check out views of Fremantle in the
international guest speakers:
background!). Thanks everyone for their understanding and patience while we were sorting out the talks as the speakers had to tilt to recording these in a short timeframe (many in Queensland without power) to make the meeting an on-demand one.
We have re-scheduled the OGSIG AGM to now take place during the main RANZCR ASM on Thursday 23 October 2025 at 12.30pm—please join us onsite or remotely.
Also, a reminder also about obstetric reporting—current best-practice guidelines from key professional bodies including ASUM, RANZCOG and the NZ Obstetric Ultrasound Guidelines all suggest reporting fetal biometry as percentiles rather than ‘equivalent weeks and days’ to improve detection and monitoring of fetal growth issues.Feel free to contact us with any queries. emmeline.lee@health.wa.gov.au rachael.mcewing@ pacificradiology.com IN
PROF VEDANG MURTHY Radiation Oncologist Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai India
Precision Strikes
Join us for the FROGG (Faculty of Radiation Oncology Genito-Urinary Group) workshop in September 2025.
Dr Renee Finnigan, Radiation Oncologist at ICON Gold Coast University Hospital
The FROGG committee is busily preparing for the triennial FROGG Workshop, scheduled for 3-5 September in Brisbane. We are excited to welcome international speakers Prof Vedang Murthy and Prof Andrew Loblaw, alongside local experts. We are anticipating another dynamic meeting, with a focus on the use of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for localised prostate cancer. Registration is open and the provisional scientific program is available at www.frogg.com.au. The workshop is open to both FROGG members and non-members, and we welcome the attendance of trainees and other disciplines.
All FROGG members should have received an invitation to participate in the 2025 Prostate SBRT Patterns of Practice Survey. Thank you to members who have already responded; the prompt reply of those who have not would be much appreciated. The aim is to have representation from all major centres across Australia and New Zealand. Collated responses will be presented at the FROGG Workshop. Workshop participants will also have an opportunity to give feedback on the new FROGG Consensus
Guidelines on Prostate SBRT, which are currently in development.
As in previous years, FROGG is proud to offer travel grants for up to five trainees to attend the FROGG Workshop. The purpose of the grants is to increase exposure, awareness and interest in genitourinary oncology as a subspecialty among radiation oncology trainees or recent Fellows. The grant will provide complimentary registration for the workshop, two nights accommodation and up to AU$500 towards flights.
Dr Braden Higgs has stepped into the role of Chair of the FROGG Executive Committee for 2025. FROGG would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to outgoing committee member A/Prof Tom Shakespeare, who has been a longterm member and has contributed a wealth of knowledge and expertise. We also thank outgoing FROGG Trainee Representative Dr Tracy Lim Yew Fai and wish her all the best in her upcoming Fellowship. FROGG welcomes incoming committee members A/Prof Suki Gill, Dr Mario Guerrieri and Dr Jeremy De Leon. We also welcome Dr Yuan-Hong (Perry) Lin as our new Trainee Representative. www.frogg.com.au IN
“ We are anticipating another dynamic meeting, with a focus on the use of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for localised prostate cancer.”
lungscreen
National Lung Cancer Screening Program
A new screening program offers a significant step forward in the early detection and treatment of lung cancer.
When the National Lung Cancer Screening Program (NLCSP) commences on 1 July 2025, it will be Australia’s first new screening program in over 20 years and is a significant step forward in the early detection and treatment of lung cancer.
RANZCR members have been pivotal in the development of this initiative, volunteering their time and expertise to support this work in unprecedented numbers, and participating in the RANZCR and ANZSTR National Lung Cancer Screening Working Group over many months.
It is wonderful to see members coming together in this way and contributing to a national effort to reduce lung cancer mortality and morbidity. I am very grateful for their dedication and commitment and thank all members for their hard work.
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of malignancy related deaths in Australia, with over 9,000 lives unfortunately claimed each year.
The NLCSP aims to enable early detection using a low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scan.
Research has shown that LDCT scans can detect lung cancer at its earliest stages, when it is most treatable. The NLCSP shift in diagnosis of lung cancer from
late to early stage could potentially save over 500 lives annually and represents a paradigm shift in our approach to this pernicious disease.
The NLCSP specifically targets priority populations who are disproportionately affected by lung cancer including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and will focus on eligible people aged between 50 to 70 years old with no signs or symptoms of lung cancer. More than 930,000 Australians will be eligible for lung cancer screening this year (Daffodil Centre, 2024).
International rates of screening participation vary, often in the order of 20% due to barriers relating to stigma. Although the upcoming demand is not able to be quantified, we know much work is ahead. The expertise of RANZCR members is central to its success, and the College has developed a series of webinars, interactive workshops and conferences about the effects of this program on practice to support its implementation. These are available throughout 2025. Members can register online through the College website. These resources draw upon the latest evidence-based guidelines and diagnostic tools. The NLCSP Nodule Management Protocol will be central to our screening approach. The Protocol incorporates the Pan-Canadian
Early Detection of Lung Cancer (PanCan) risk model and principles adapted from Lung-RADS, and will ensure participants receive precise and effective care.
The multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach encouraged by the program builds collaboration across specialties, enabling us to provide comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of a participant’s health. This collaborative model not only enhances participant outcomes but also enriches our professional experience, allowing us to learn from and contribute to a broader network of healthcare professionals.
The data collected through the NLCSP will enable future research and, with access to new resources, training and the latest research findings, RANZCR members will have many opportunities to further our expertise and contribute to the growing body of knowledge about improving cancer care.
I strongly encourage all our Fellows and trainees to familiarise themselves with the NLCSP guidelines and protocols. Doing so will empower us to consistently deliver high-quality care as part of this new cancer screening program. IN
Recent updates highlight collaborative leadership, evolving processes and a shared commitment to supporting trainees.
The year is moving ahead at a rapid pace and, as always, there is a lot happening in the training space. From examinations to policy updates, international medical graduate (IMG) pathways and accreditation, we continue to evolve and refine our processes to better support trainees and ensure high-quality training outcomes.
Examinations
I would like to take this opportunity to recognise and sincerely thank Dr Mark Phillips, Deputy Chief Censor Examinations, and the entire examinations team. Running examinations is a highly complex task, with 10 written examinations per year and two sets of OSCER examinations.
Each OSCER series involves over 500 stations, and Dr Phillips personally reviews the content of every written and oral examination. The dedication and meticulous work that go into ensuring each examination is fair and accurate does not go unnoticed.
Policies
CRETC is continuously reviewing our policies and processes to ensure they align with the current training environment and meet both trainee and community expectations. Recent improvements include: A broadened scope for recognition of prior learning,
that is more fit for purpose.
A more equitable approach for trainees who face unexpected incidents before or during an examination. Instead of electing to void the entire exam in such circumstances, trainees can now have a pass mark upheld in certain situations, offering a fairer outcome.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Trainee Committee for their valuable input into these policy changes, ensuring they reflect the needs and realities of trainees.
IMGs
Ahpra and the Medical Board of Australia are continuing their efforts to introduce an expedited pathway for international medical graduates (IMGs). The College remains actively engaged in discussions and advocacy with the Australian Medical Council (AMC) and the Medical Board to ensure that patient care standards are not compromised.
The Board has recently approved RANZCR’s defined scope pathway for IMGs in IR, INR and paediatric radiology. This initiative removes barriers to providing these essential services and also improves the likelihood of IMGs joining the Australian healthcare system.
The defined scope pathway is a proactive step toward strengthening patient care. While successful
candidates will be eligible for RANZCR membership, they will not be eligible for FRANZCR, as the qualification remains a generalist one across the full scope of practice.
Accreditation
The new accreditation standards are now being operationalised. The accreditation team, led by the CAO, Dr Jennifer Chang, recently completed a major undertaking— conducting accreditation visits across all New Zealand training sites within a two-week period. This new approach has proven to be a far more efficient process than the ‘piecemeal’ approach of assessing our networks. It is hoped that, over a period of time, this can be extended to all jurisdictions.
Leadership Update
Finally, I would like to extend my warm congratulations to Dr Rajiv Rattan on his election as our next President. As Dean, Dr Rattan has admirably led the Council of Clinical Radiology for the past three years, and I have no doubt he will bring the same strong leadership and vision to his new role.
As we continue through 2025, I look forward to working with our trainees, supervisors and the broader College community to build on these developments and maintain our commitment to excellence in training and patient care. IN
Dr Barry Soans, Chief Censor (FCR)
Impact Factor
Rethinking CPD: prioritising impact, relevance and patient outcomes.
Dear friends,
Here are some random thoughts and reflections on professional practice for this issue of Inside News. Reflecting on the place of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in our professional practice raises the question, ‘What should be the goals of any CPD activity?’ It is intuitive to think of improvement in clinical radiologists’ knowledge and performance as a major goal. The linkage between knowledge and performance is not direct and linear. For example, a CPD activity that reviews the molecular and genetic basis of disease may have much greater impact on knowledge and awareness for the radiologist but may have lesser implications for current day-to-day radiology practice. And should ‘patient outcome’ not be the major goal we should be thinking of? There is sufficient evidence that CPD activity is effective in improving physician knowledge and skills and patient outcomes. The effectiveness increases when the delivery of the CPD activity is interactive and uses multiple instructional techniques. Further, multiple exposures to the content at different time points reinforces the impact of the CPD activity. The effectiveness also increases when the activities are focused on areas considered relevant by the learner. Several research papers have addressed the issue of effectiveness of CPD delivery methods. Most of them suggest that the most
impactful CPD activities are those that involve face-to-face (F2F) interactive sessions. Here I would like to introduce the term ‘academic detailing’ with which not all of us may be familiar. Academic detailing is interactive educational outreach to physicians to provide unbiased, non-commercial, evidencebased information with the goal of improving patient care. This is different to ‘commercial detailing’ where a medical representative of a company introduces a company product to a single radiologist or group of radiologists.
Next to the F2F interactive method of delivering CPD activity, interactive education in other formats (online for example) and reminders are considered effective methods of delivering CPD activity. Research also suggests that audits with feedback are only moderately effective and didactic programs and isolated information are even less effective.
It is probably true that a CPD activity that reflects the needs of an individual radiologist is going to be the most effective for that radiologist. CPD activity that is relevant to everyday practice would also be potentially most satisfying in a professional sense because it leads to improvement in relevant knowledge and practical skills with a positive change in attitudes and behaviours.
Ranking of CPD activities in terms of their effectiveness is a complex task, and these rankings will vary from radiologist to radiologist depending on their individual circumstances.
Dr
“Academic detailing is interactive educational outreach to physicians to provide unbiased, non-commercial, evidence-based information with the goal of improving patient care.”
The ‘impact factor’ of a medical journal assesses the relative importance of a journal, based on the frequency with which its articles are cited in other publications. It’s kind of a journal’s ‘popularity’ score. Has the time come to develop an ‘impact factor’ for CPD activities?
I leave you with some food for thought. See you next time with some more random thoughts and musings. IN
Pramod Phadke, CHoPP (FCR)
The first-ever World Radiotherapy Awareness Day (WRAD) will launch 7 September (the date the first patient was treated on a linear accelerator).
Show your support for this important initiative by signing up to receive updates and become part of the WRAD family. We hope you, your radonc teams and patients will get involved to make the inaugural WRAD an overwhelming success.
Please talk about WRAD, share with your colleagues and think about what your clinic or institution will do to promote WRAD on 7 September. Visit our website for more great ideas on how you can promote and celebrate WRAD on social media, in your workplace and out in the community.
Celebrating Collaboration
The essential role of international collaboration in advancing cancer care.
Strengthening our ties with research organisations and fostering international collaboration is essential as the treatment of cancer continues to evolve in response to innovations in radiation therapy. RANZCR recently participated in two significant international forums, The TransTasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) ASM 2025 and the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) Congress.
TROG is the largest clinical trials group in Australia and New Zealand and has facilitated more than 100 clinical trials over three decades. It comprises an extensive network of oncologists, radiation therapists, physicists, data managers and other researchers who conduct highquality research across a range of cancers world-wide.
With the theme of inclusivity and innovation, the TROG 37th ASM attracted more than 300 delegates over three days. Events included a Technical Research Workshop with keynote speaker Prof Quynh-Thu Le from Stanford University, who is co-chair of the NRG Oncology Group of the MCI-sponsored US National Clinical Trials Network.
Designed to help facilitate participation in clinical trials and promote the use of new technology in clinical research, the workshop discussed some of challenges in research and explored the intricacies of complex clinical trials. Prof QuynhThu Le has led multicentre phase II and III clinical trials, testing the addition of novel drugs as well as radiosensitiser or radioprotector with chemoradiotherapy in head and neck cancer.
TROG celebrated a successful 12 months with several new international partnerships formed including NRG Oncology, 14 manuscripts published, 16 conference presentations and 211 patients recruited to active clinical trials.
RANZCR was invited to nominate a speaker to present at the ESTRO annual Congress held in Vienna in May, themed ‘Transformative Innovation Through Partnership’.
The ESTRO Congress disseminates the latest science within the world of radiotherapy and shares top-level
scientific work being undertaken by the radiation oncology community with the broader medical community and society in general.
NSW radiation oncologist Dr Jeremy de Leon, who is an active clinician researcher and investigator, presented a session on Single Fraction MRI-Linac: Challenges and Opportunities, where he discussed the experience of the largest cohort of Australian patients treated with adaptive radiation therapy on the MRI-Linac platform.
Dr de Leon’s clinical interests include upper gastrointestinal, urogenital, lung cancers and advanced treatment technology.
RANZCR shares ESTRO’s ambition to further reinforce radiation oncology as a key partner in multidisciplinary cancer care, and to guarantee accessible and highvalue radiation therapy for all cancer patients who need it.
At a recent planning day, the new Faculty of Radiation Oncology Council affirmed its commitment to promoting shared learning and cooperation, whether within RANZCR or with our international colleagues.
Collaboration provides excellent opportunities for individual professional development, and our participation at the cutting-edge of research and practice can only strengthen our effectiveness as clinicians and our collective impact on patient outcomes. IN
Dr Tuan Ha, Dean (FRO)
Shaping the Future
Reflecting on lessons, leadership and loads of opportunity.
As I step into the final year of my three-year term as Chief Censor, I’m reflecting on the valuable and challenging experiences I’ve had. Serving in this role has offered numerous opportunities to learn, grow and connect with others. One of the most rewarding aspects has been working alongside so many dedicated and hardworking professionals.
Throughout my term, I’ve been fortunate to receive immense support from fellow committee members, College staff and colleagues (thank you, Canberra!). Their encouragement has been key to our progress. I highly encourage all of you to get involved in College life. There are varied roles to suit all types of interests and personalities —join a working group, apply for committee membership, become an accreditation assessor, examiner or apply for an office bearer role. There are great opportunities to contribute, lead, create meaningful change and directly impact the direction of our specialty.
I would never have imagined as a trainee that I would have had the skills or personality to take on a role such as this one. It’s clear, however, that true progress and innovation in our field comes from embracing a variety of leadership and personality styles. We need diverse voices with different perspectives and strengths to drive the change we all seek.
The Value of Collaboration
One important lesson has been the value of collaboration—particularly with our Training Network Directors (TNDs), Directors of Training (DoTs), clinical supervisors and, most importantly, the trainees themselves. Engaging trainees directly in decision-making has
led to more relevant and effective changes in the training program. Their input has been crucial in identifying issues and improving training experiences and outcomes. This year, we continue to focus on fostering this collaboration, ensuring trainees have a direct role in shaping the decisions that impact the future of the program.
Policies: Fairer and More Flexible
ROETC members are committed to reviewing policies and processes to meet the evolving needs of training and the expectations of both trainees and the wider community. Recent improvements include: Greater Flexibility In departments that can support it, trainees may now be accredited at a minimum of 0.4 FTE, allowing for increased flexibility.
Broader Recognition of Prior Learning The criteria for recognising prior experience have been expanded, trainees now have 12 months to apply for RPL and the time limit on PhD or Masters research has been removed, making it easier for trainees to gain credit and increasing access to RPL.
Fairer Examination Procedures
A fairer approach for trainees facing unforeseen circumstances has been introduced. Instead of invalidating the entire exam, a pass mark can be retained in certain cases. (It’s important to note that examination marks will never be increased, in line with our policies.)
New Resources for Supervisors and DoTs: Strengthening Feedback in Training
We’ve also focused on improving feedback in training. Feedback
Dr Lisa Sullivan, Chief Censor (FRO)
is fundamental to learning and professional growth. It’s often described as“specific information about the comparison between a trainee’s observed performance and a standard, given with the intent to improve the trainee’s performance”1. Effective feedback fosters self-reflection, enhances self-awareness and helps trainees plan for their future practice.
In collaboration with General Practice Supervisors Australia, we’ve developed a new resource on Giving Effective Feedback, now available on the College website. This resource outlines a practical 7-step approach to giving feedback:
1. Establish and maintain an educational alliance
2. Observe performance
3. Choose the right time
4. Seek trainee self-assessment
5. Provide feedback
6. Explore trainee’s view
7. Collaboratively develop steps for improvement
I hope many of you attended the associated webinars. If not, a recording will be available soon, filled with practical tips. Keep an eye out for more resources this year! IN
References: 1. Cantillon P, Sargeant J. Giving feedback in clinical settings. BMJ 2008; 337:a1961
Scan the QR code to access the new Giving Effective Feedback resource.
What is CPD?
Understanding the history of the CPD program and addressing some current challenges.
Dr Ziad Thotathil, CHoPP (FRO)
Continuing medical education (CME) is part of the process of lifelong learning that all doctors undertake from medical school until retirement. This has traditionally been viewed by the medical profession in terms of updating their knowledge related to delivering their professional services. However, all doctors need skills that extend beyond medical knowledge in order to practise effectively in the current era. Such skills include the ability to educate/train, familiarity with information technology, audit, communication and management. These broader skills are embraced by the term continuing professional development (CPD). This concept was endorsed by the UK’s Academy of Medical Royal Colleges in 1999 and subsequently spread worldwide.
For a long time, the RANZCR CPD program was based broadly on the CanMEDS framework developed by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, with our requirement that members engage in activities covering a minimum of three of the seven RANZCR categories. This was tweaked in the 2019-2021 triennium in response to a recommendation from the MBA requiring the broad classification of CPD events as educational activities, reviewing performance and measuring outcomes.
Why does the CPD program look like it does now? It is important to understand that we are responding to guidance from the regulators (MBA in Australia, and the MCNZ in NZ) regarding CPD as a prerequisite for maintaining professional registration which is mandatory for professional practice.
I am happy to say that the majority of us have adapted our CPD plans to satisfy the requirement. Statistics provided by the College indicate that 71% of our members had met the minimum standards as of end December 2024, the closing date for CPD2024. Unfortunately, 17% of members had not recorded the required minimum and 9% had not recorded any CPD for the year. Therefore, it does appear that some of our colleagues are struggling to log their CPD activities on the RANZCR platform on time. The Professional Practice Committee is trying to understand why. Do some of our colleagues find it difficult to access the appropriate CPD opportunities? Or is the CPD platform offered by the College difficult to navigate? Are there other reasons? I would be happy to hear from you so that we can work together to improve the situation.
“I am happy to say that the majority of us have adapted our CPD plans to satisfy the requirement.”
There was a major change introduced in 2022, when we moved from a triennium to annual cycles. And more recently, we introduced minimum requirements within the above three categories as well as the program level requirements (PLR) in professionalism in practice, health equity, cultural safety and ethics.
I am sure that we all value the importance of CPD in ensuring that we stay at the cutting-edge of our field of medicine, which ultimately benefits our patients. It would be sad indeed for one of us to lose our licence to practice given the current mandate in Australia to report anyone not completing their CPD to the MBA, with the possibility of significant sanctions. Let’s not let it get to that. IN
Diving into the Archives
This year marks 90 years since the founding of what is now the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists. In the March issue of Inside News, we revisited the formative years of the 1930s and 1940s. This issue, we explore the milestone events from the 1950s and 1960s.
1951
The College is presented with presidential insignia from the British Faculty of Radiology They also presented a magnificent President’s chain in 1959, which is still in use today.
1959
College Council approves the purchase of College gowns of “black Princeton, with an edging of green”.
1952
Dr CC Anderson, who played a large part in the formation of the College, becomes the first President from New Zealand.
1963
College Council approves the commissioning of a Presidential robe from Ede & Ravenscroft of London. The original President’s robe was worn until 1997.
1953
The Education Advisory Board becomes the Board of Examiners and, under the leadership of radiotherapist Dr Rutherford Kaye Scott, finalises a standardised syllabus.
1964
On 2 September, the Queen grants the College its own Coat of Arms, with Lynx and Griffin supporters and motto: lumen afferimus morbis (we cast light on disease.
1956
Dr H Hewlett, a foundation Fellow of the College, is honoured on a memorial at the Antoine Beclere Museum in Paris, along with other world-renowned radiology pioneers.
1967
The College Archives, now known as the Trainor Owen Collection, are established. Council appoints Dr Morris Owen as Keeper (a role he holds until his death in 2004).
Scan the QR code to learn more about RANZCR’s 90th anniversary. If you have a story to tell or a photo to share from the past 90 years, please email editor@ ranzcr.edu.au
1957
The first edition of the College journal, titled Proceedings of the College of Radiologists of Australasia, is published in June. The name changes in 1959, and again in 1966 and 2008.
1969
The end of the decade sees the striking of the first Gold Medal, which is awarded to Dr Kaye Scott in recognition of his vision and commitment to superior radiological education.
Collegiality in Perth
A/Prof Emmeline Lee provides a recap of the WA Branch ASM in March.
The Western Australian RANZCR Branch Annual Scientific Meeting was held 15-16 March at the Harry Perkins Institute of Research building.
This year, its focus was Women’s and Children’s Imaging, and featured keynote speakers Prof Derek Roebuck and A/Prof Mathew Leonardi. They were supported by Dr Matt Lukies from Melbourne, and a strong local faculty. It was a spectacular success with a record number of registrations (177!), which filled the auditorium to the brim. Attendees
Congratulations
Celebrating a distinguished member.
In April, the College proudly shared the news that Prof Sandra Turner had been named a recipient of the honorary Fellowship with the American College of Radiology (ACR). Prof Turner currently serves as a clinical professor of radiation oncology at the University of Sydney, and as the clinical lead of professional and faculty development at the Research and Education Network in
came from far and wide, including a few international and interstate delegates, and many from rural WA.
Highlights included lectures on endometriosis (great timing as it was Endometriosis Awareness Month) and controversies in paediatric imaging. There were updates on many topical areas in paediatric and O&G imaging, including precocious puberty, neonatal head ultrasound, dopplers in obstetrics, mediastinal masses, O-RADS MRI, neonatal CXR interpretation, early pregnancy updated lexicon, renal tumours in kids, recent advances in infertility and adenomyosis imaging, superficial lumps and bumps, hypertension in kids, and lectures on paediatric and adolescent gynaecology—including tricky masses and tumours. The lecture on pelvic congestion syndrome provoked lots of questions and debate.
Radiology trainees were taken through their paces by Paediatric Co-Lead Examiner Dr Peter Shipman and myself, as we presented an interactive session to demonstrate the ‘new’ OSCER-style of exams.
The event was attended by radiologists, radiology registrars and Fellows, obstetrician-gynaecologists, sonographers, junior doctors and medical students.
Many thanks to our sponsor, SKG Radiology, for its support. This meeting was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new connections; the room was abuzz with conversation, cementing the power of on-site meetings to enhance collegiality. IN
the Western Sydney Local Health District in collaboration with the University of Sydney. She is also a senior staff specialist in radiation oncology at the Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Westmead Hospital, with a clinical focus on genito-urinary cancers and sarcoma.
This recognition highlights Prof Turner’s exceptional contributions to the field of radiation oncology and her dedication to post-graduate training. She has also mentored countless trainees and junior professionals, and her reforms to RANZCR’s radiation oncology training curriculum have been recognised as the gold standard for comprehensive, evidence-based education.
Her teaching, leadership and research within organisations such as the TROG Cancer Trials Group have influenced practice-changing advancements in oncology. Moreover, her integral involvement in Targeting Cancer has raised global awareness of underused radiation therapy, reaching millions worldwide and showcasing her commitment to public service and advocacy.
This honour not only reflects Prof Turner’s significant achievements but also raises the reputation of our College on the global stage. We congratulate Prof Turner on this well-deserved recognition. IN
Grand Hyatt Hotel Melbourne
Tuesday 29 July (IO Symposium)
Wednesday 30 July - Friday 1st August (ASM)
To view the full program, and register now, visit: irsaasm.com
IO Symposium:
> A full day program on clinical interventional oncology, designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of what you need to know for day-to-day practice.
ASM
> A mix of didactic talks, interactive workshops, and research presentations designed to inform and inspire.
> Dedicated opportunities for RANZCR trainees participate as part of the Fellows program.
Associate Professor Donna D’Souza USA
Professor Michael Lee Ireland Professor Simon Yu Hong Kong
Member Rewards Program
As a member of the College, you can access a specially selected, member-only rewards program to deliver maximum value from your membership subscription fee. The program caters to a variety of needs with a range of financial, insurance, legal, travel and lifestyle products and services included.
HILTON HOTELS AUSTRALASIA
Hilton Hotels is offering RANZCR members and staff a discounted rate at its properties in Australasia until 31 December 2025 (for travel within this timeframe).
Hilton Hotels ensures a luxury experience for guests and is available for either business or leisure travel. Bookings can be
Booking details:
made using your 7% Discount off Best Available Rate for both corporate and leisure stays at all Australasian Hotels. Your special discount offers flexibility of 24 hour cancellation, LRA (Last Room Availability) and includes complimentary WIFI. Subject to availability.
Account Name: RANZCR – Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Radiologists
Europcar operates the world’s largest car rental network and is pleased to offer RANZCR members up to 15% savings on rental rates across Australia and New Zealand:
• Pick up your rental on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday and save up to 15% off*
• Pick up your rental any other day and save up to 10% off* Europcar locations are conveniently located in all major cities, airports and town centres and your rental includes Roadside Assistance for peace of mind travel.
Vehicles subject to availability. Valid at participating locations across Australia and New Zealand. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion. Discount of 10% applies to base cost (time and kilometres) of rental only. Discount of 15% applies to base cost (time and kilometres).*
Contact the College on +61 2 9268 9777 or at members@ranzcr.edu.au for your unique contract ID, then make your booking:
Petals Network is one of Australia and New Zealand’s premier flower delivery services, proudly connecting customers with the world’s best local florists for almost 30 years.
All of Petals’ flower arrangements are artistically arranged and hand-delivered
using only the freshest flowers available through its network of talented local florists.
College members receive 20 per cent off the value of flowers purchased. This discount applies to the flower value only. An additional delivery fee will apply.
Please register your details by scanning the QR code to access the online catalogue and discount.
CU HEALTH
RANZCR is pleased to offer members a 12-month trial of CU Health’s virtual health and wellbeing service, including four complimentary vouchers for psychology sessions. All other services will be at the cost of members. This initiative reflects RANZCR’s ongoing commitment to supporting your health. This benefit is available to Fellows,
Trainees and IMGs. If you have any questions or concerns about using CU Health, view the Frequently Asked Questions or please contact CU Health directly by calling 1300 284 325 or visiting their website at www.cuhealth.com.au. Watch the video tutorial for a step-by-step guide on how to register and book
Please note that RANZCR does not provide medical or mental health advice, nor does it endorse the advice or treatment recommendations provided by CU Health or its clinical professionals. Members should act at their own discretion and seek independent advice if necessary.
A Life and a Legacy
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the recent passing of Dr Anthony “Tony” Smith, a much-admired radiologist, teacher and mentor who is fondly remembered for his warmth and good humour. Words by Dr Steven Knox and A/Prof Rebecca Linke.
in 1967. Following this he worked for two years in general practice with a keen interest in sports medicine.
Tony believed that this experience served him well throughout his radiology career. It was his firm conviction that good radiology cannot be separated from the clinical situation—in other words, the patient. He would always remind the registrars to “turn the light on”, meaning turn up the lights and examine the patient.
Having decided to specialise in radiology, his registrar years were at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in South
“He approached all things with a positive attitude, good humour, common sense and a desire to do the best for all concerned.”
IN MEMORIAM
Dr Bruce Collings, Fellow, NSW
Dr Valerie Mayne, Life Member, VIC
Dr Michael Purcell, Fellow, VIC
Australia under the lead of Dr Bill Tucker. He described Bill’s knowledge and teaching sessions as the stuff of legends.
He was the first registrar to undertake a rotation at the then Adelaide Children’s Hospital, mentored by Dr Bill Caldecott and Dr Lloyd Morris. This started a long association with Women’s and Children’s Hospital, which he maintained for the rest of his career. He shared his time, working in private practice for Benson Radiology, where he was the resident paediatric expert.
Tony loved working with children; listening to their jokes, trading bad jokes and helping to make them healthy. He had a patient, calm but authoritative demeanour that could get the most anxious and threatening parent ‘on-side’.
He approached all things with a positive attitude, good humour, common sense and a desire to do the best for all concerned. He was defined by his wish to make all things better.
Tony worked in an era of radiology that was privileged to see many changes. Rather than be scared off by new technologies, Tony embraced them all and was proficient at a very high standard. He accepted the digital age with enthusiasm and always found humour in life’s challenges.
Tony made valuable contributions to the teaching of generations of medical students and registrars and is remembered fondly by all. His teaching sessions were laced with humour, anecdotes and valuable paediatric radiology tips. He was also an examiner and an active member of RANZCR and the AMA, as well as an early founder of ANZSPR (The Australian and New Zealand Society for Paediatric Radiology). He was always passionate about the politics of good medicine, championing the cause of doctors and wanting to make hospitals better.
In view of his contributions, Tony was awarded Life Fellowship in 2000. Tony retired in 2016 but continued as an Emeritus Consultant teaching medical students and registrars for some years after.
Tony was a much admired and loved member who gave tremendous service to our profession. His infectious character, humour and warmth will be greatly missed.
Our condolences to his family. IN
Fair Winds
It is with deep sadness that we record the sudden passing of Dr Peter Carr, a respected radiologist, devoted colleague and dear friend, who died unexpectedly on 10 March 2025, at the age of 67. Words by Dr Stephen Cahill.
Peastern suburbs of Sydney. A graduate of the University of NSW, Peter undertook his radiology training at Westmead Hospital, under the mentorship of the foundation director, Eric Broadfoot.
The young Dr Carr was a gifted and intuitive radiologist, and elected to stay on at Westmead as a Staff Radiologist. Within a short time, he became Head of the Division of Imaging, and a well-recognised and respected figure within the hospital and beyond. He was instrumental in securing the first MRI scanner within Westmead Hospital, among many achievements. His expertise was widely sought by many clinical specialists, and he formed a particularly strong bond with Prof Allan Langlands.
Peter had diverse professional interests but took particular pleasure in teaching at all levels. His calm and encouraging style engaged medical students, registrars and health professionals alike. No pupil
knowledge as they were guided by Peter. He was also an empathetic and enthusiastic mentor who always took the time to listen and offer his support, contributing greatly to the professional development of many junior radiologists.
Peter entered into the affairs of RANZCR and, as with everything, committed fully. He was the Honorary Secretary in the 1990s, at a time when the College had a much less comprehensive staff and support system than today. He also served on Council, as an examiner, in support of the J P Trainor Archive Trust, and in other roles. He also became involved in the BreastScreen Program, where his clinical expertise and skill at fostering teamwork was highly valued.
Moving out of the public sector, Dr Carr was welcomed into the Pittwater Partnership, which later become I-Med. He and many colleagues took a calculated leap of faith in 2008 to create PRP
“He was in love with the water, never living far from the Harbour or the coast. He was a boat owner and sailor for many years and never missed an opportunity to commune with the sea.”
Diagnostic Imaging. Peter worked tirelessly to foster growth of the new partnership and practice, extending and building upon his many relationships with other clinicians. In the background, he served on the then Executive, including as Chair, and on the Doctors Human Resources Committee.
Peter had exceptional skill in listening to diverse viewpoints in order bring together a common thread and successful outcome. Moving in his work across many practices, he would take particular care to introduce himself to any staff member he did not know, and learn their name.
Peter was a strong family man, immensely proud of his four children and, later, his grandchildren, on whom he doted. He was also in love with the water, never living far from the Harbour or the coast. He was a boat owner and sailor for many years and never missed an opportunity to commune with the sea. His inexhaustible energy at parties, and his generosity as a host, were legendary.
Peter’s presence brought warmth, wisdom, and an unwavering sense of support and empathy that touched everyone he encountered. As a friend, he offered kindness, laughter and loyalty; as a radiologist, he was dedicated, inspiring, curious and collaborative.
Fair winds, Peter. You will be missed, but not forgotten. IN
A/Prof
Surging On
A summary of recent highlights and events. Plus, don’t forget to register for the upcoming ASM!
Kia ora tatou. I would like to share some highlights from my first few months as NZ Branch Chair. I have attended our first in-person NZ Branch and NZ Radiation Oncology Committee meetings, setting the workplans for the year. I have enjoyed working with our radiation oncology cousins and learning more about the pressure points and key areas of concern. I also attended my first Faculty of Clinical Radiology Council meeting in Sydney, which included a planning day on setting Council priorities to align with the new Strategic Plan. I encourage you all to get familiar with our Strategic Plan, which will help the College lead the sector in avenues that may be broader than clinical radiology and radiation oncology.
Health Workforce New Zealand (HWNZ)
Trainee selection is underway as I write this, and we have been working closely with the National Networks and HWNZ to ensure we are training at capacity. As part of this work, the College has developed robust data to show the current picture
“We are certainly aware that there has to be a balance of not just training, but also retaining.”
of training in New Zealand and the future predicted exit rates. We are certainly aware that there has to be a balance of not just training, but also retaining, Fellows.
HPCA Act
The College has now provided feedback on a consultation from the Ministry of Health (MoH) on Putting Patients First: Modernising health workforce regulation. This is part of a review of health workforce regulation, including the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (the HPCA Act). This document’s purpose is to gather feedback on the following topics: patient-centred regulation, streamlined regulation, right-sized regulation and future-proofed regulation. We have considered this document and the questions it asks about regulation carefully as it is vital that any changes to health regulation do not compromise patient safety or quality of care. I encourage you to have a look at this consultation paper, while there is a lot of gloss, I believe the substance and suggestions are concerning for the medical profession.
NZRET
The New Zealand Radiology Education Trust (NZRET) recently agreed to increase the prize money for current Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) awards. The Radiation Oncology FRONNZ Award has
increased from NZ$500 to NZ$1,000; the NZ ASM Proffered Prize now offers a prize of NZ$3,000 for clinical radiology, and a secondary award for radiation oncology; the Trust Poster Prize has increased from NZ$1,500 to NZ$2,000. The next funding round for the NZRET applications closes 31 July 2025 and we encourage applications through the RANZCR website for more information.
ECCO Conference
In April, RANZCR members and staff attended the Early Learning in Medicine Clinical Conference Otago (ECCO) event. Themed ‘Forge the Future’, the conference was aimed at second- and thirdyear medical students and provides an opportunity to learn about life outside of medical school, and the different training opportunities available. The College sponsored a trade stand promoting both clinical radiology and radiation oncology. Special thank you to Dr Tiv Senanayake for running radiation oncology workshops and those trainees and members who attended.
NZ ASM
Lastly, I look forward to seeing you at our annual ASM, held 15–17 August. Despite our geographic, public and private divides, I believe we have a great community of clinicians in Aotearoa and we should celebrate that together! IN
Dr Jash Agraval, NZ Branch Chair
Registration is now open for the 2025 Targeting Cancer Fun Run, taking place along the banks of Melbourne’s beautiful Yarra River on the morning of Saturday 25 October. Join your RANZCR colleagues and friends, and help raise awareness of radiation therapy as a safe and effective treatment for cancer.
