2024-2027
Strategic Plan The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia
The RCPA acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions and cultures, and to Elders past, present and emerging. The RCPA acknowledges the rangatiratanga of Māori as tangata whenua and Treaty of Waitangi partners in Aotearoa New Zealand. Artists: Jordan Lovegrove, Ngarrindjeri Artist of Dreamtime Creative, Tiaki Terekia of Ngāti Kōhuru and Margaret Aull of Te Rarawa, Tūwharetoa and Fijian descent
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RCPA Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027
Introduction From the RCPA President The Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) Strategic Plan for 2024-2027 sets out the RCPA’s roadmap to address the complex challenges impacting our members as medical specialists and leaders navigating an ever-changing healthcare landscape. This Plan is informed by member insights to make sure we focus on what matters most to them. Our members have told us that advocacy is a priority for them so advocacy, collaboration and policy engagement sit at the heart of this Strategic Plan.
Workforce sustainability A shortage of pathologists continues to dominate the dialogue in our profession both at home and globally, and tackling workforce sustainability is a key priority for the College. This is intrinsically entwined with healthcare economics more broadly and something our colleagues in other medical specialties are also grappling with. Our strategic focus over the next three years is to elevate the voice of the profession by advocating for pathology, and to ensure we continue to contribute to policies affecting modern medicine. Engaging with governments, industry and other stakeholders in pathology to effect change is critical if we are to raise awareness of the profession and highlight the pivotal role pathologists play in providing quality healthcare and delivering better health outcomes for patients.
Purposeful change The foundation of our College is built on excellence in education and training. Today’s Trainees are future advocates of the profession. In championing pathology and building a strong member community, our strength is in innovation to grow, support and nurture the medical leaders of tomorrow. Technological change and developments in fields such as genomics and health informatics, and the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in pathology is going to transform our profession and the needs of our members, no matter where they might be in their professional journey. As we look forward to the next three years, the College is cognisant of this, and the strategic framework set out in this Plan reflects purposeful change to the way we operate to ensure we remain relevant to the societal and political environment our members work in. Our vision is a resilient, sustainable, inclusive and innovative organisation with strong governance. An organisation that is agile and responsive to the opportunities and pressures facing the medical community, while enhancing the value and support we provide to our members.
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RCPA Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027
A/Prof Trishe Leong RCPA President
“Our strategic focus over the next three years is to elevate the voice of the profession by advocating for pathology, and to ensure we continue to contribute to policies affecting modern medicine.”
Our purpose As the pre-eminent organisation representing the practice of pathology in Australasia, the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA) promotes and supports the interests of practitioners, patients and the public and assure excellence in the education and practice of pathology.
Our values Excellence We take pride in what we do, and we serve our Fellows, Trainees and other members through innovation, continuous improvement and a consistent focus on meeting their needs.
Respect We create trusting and enduring relationships with colleagues, members, government, allies and the community to advance our work and the quality practice of pathology.
Collaboration We work in partnership with one another, our Fellows, Trainees and other members, and key stakeholders to deliver quality outcomes in pathology education and practice.
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RCPA Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027
Areas of focus 2024 – 2027 01 Workforce We will enhance our existing plans and develop new strategic initiatives to effect sustainable growth and ongoing support for the pathology workforce.
02 Advocacy and awareness We engage with governments, industry and other stakeholders in pathology to effect change and raise awareness.
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04 Member support and communication
Education and continuing professional development (CPD) We advance the profession of pathology by delivering high quality training programs for Trainees and Fellows and by supporting our Fellows and members in their CPD activities.
We ensure that Fellows, Trainees and other members are effectively served by the College throughout their career and wherever they are located.
05 Standards We lead pathology in Australasia by supporting, developing, monitoring and maintaining evidence-based and quality-focused standards in pathology.
06 Our communities and the future We are committed to high-quality, equitable pathology services that are equipped to deliver safe and comprehensive care for our diverse communities.
07 Organisational resilience We ensure the College’s resilience through our inclusive and supportive culture, effective planning, governance, resourcing and investment in our people and processes.
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RCPA Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027
2024 – 2025 Our key priority Address the increasing workload and workforce shortages being experienced across RCPA’s membership. This will include clearly defining present-day funding, demographic and structural challenges by sector (public and private), discipline segment and by location.
Workforce
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RCPA Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027
Advocacy and awareness
01 Workforce We will enhance our existing plans and develop new strategic initiatives to effect sustainable growth and ongoing support for the pathology workforce.
Key initiatives •
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Undertake a comprehensive workforce study in Australia and New Zealand that not only addresses the complex relationship between workforce sustainability, training and geography but also assesses the: »
increasing demand for pathology testing and more complex reporting
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constant downward pressure on staffing, funding and payment
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impact of an ageing population and changing expectations of healthcare across most demographics.
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Understand the changing nature and perceptions of work-life balance as a professional and personal driver of current and future members of the profession.
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Advocate to governments to develop, support and promote a 10-Year Pathology Workforce Strategy, including international and domestic recruitment and retention.
RCPA Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027
02 Advocacy and awareness We engage with governments, industry and other stakeholders in pathology to effect change and raise awareness.
Key initiatives
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Advocate at every level of government on issues of importance to our Fellows, Trainees and other members – particularly workforce, workload, funding, standards, quality and safety.
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Develop and promote strategic positions and responses to issues of importance and/ or concern.
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Continue to position pathology at the forefront of diagnosis and monitoring of illness and disease, and increase the visibility of the value of the profession and its practitioners.
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Promote our critical contribution to quality health outcomes and the sustainability of health care systems in Australasia, including at career entry points and to the wider community.
RCPA Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027
03 Education and continuing professional development (CPD) We advance the profession of pathology by delivering high quality, effective training programs for Trainees and Fellows and by supporting our Fellows and members in their CPD activities.
Key initiatives
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Deliver relevant and realistic training and education pathways, programs and activities that are fit for purpose and meet Fellows and Trainees professional needs throughout their career and life stage.
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Implement innovative and accessible means of delivering education programs including the Online Training Portal and in person and/or hybrid educational events; facilitating CPD record keeping.
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Align or realign our education activity in response to the evolving requirements of the profession and relevant professional performance frameworks (by geography).
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Maintain Australian Medical Council/Medical Council of New Zealand and other appropriate or relevant national/international accreditation.
RCPA Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027
04 Member support and communication We ensure that Fellows, Trainees and other members are effectively served by the College throughout their career and wherever they are located.
Key initiatives
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Consider the needs of the Fellows and Trainees at every stage of their careers and across all disciplines and locations in our planning and direction.
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Support the overall wellbeing of all members by way of information, policies, initiatives and activities.
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Ensure effective, relevant two-way channels for communication and feedback that align with the evolving needs of our Fellows, Trainees and other members throughout their life stage.
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Increase our focus on recruitment, support, equity and access for First Nations Fellows, Trainees and members.
RCPA Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027
05 Standards We lead pathology in Australasia by supporting, developing, monitoring and maintaining evidence-based and quality-focused standards in pathology.
Key initiatives
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Ongoing development and communication of evidence-based positions on relevant clinical, scientific and social issues.
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Initiatives that actively support and enhance the quality practice of pathology and the ethical standards of the profession, including initiating and supporting research and innovation in pathology
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Work with key stakeholders in the ongoing development and communication of standards.
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Develop and maintain mechanisms that capture non-compliance with professional and ethical standards, and guide effective responses to any breaches.
RCPA Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027
06 Our communities and the future We are committed to high-quality, equitable pathology services that are equipped to deliver safe and comprehensive care for our diverse communities.
Key initiatives •
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Ensure our priorities and areas of focus remain relevant and aligned to member and community key issues including: »
Recognising and addressing the impact of generational and societal change on our people, the profession and the communities we serve
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Assessing the challenges and learnings of the COVID-19 pandemic, and other high impact local, regional and global events or crises.
Undertake horizon scanning and community consultation to develop strategies in response to advancing and emerging technologies, analytics, and medical and scientific breakthroughs.
RCPA Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027
07 Organisational resilience We ensure the College’s resilience through our inclusive and supportive culture, effective planning, governance, resourcing and investment in our people and processes.
Key initiatives
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Attract, develop and retain quality employees who are both diverse and highly engaged, including implementing a structured professional development program to develop internal capacity and capability.
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Maintain our staff succession plan for key roles to ensure continuity and quality of service to Fellows, Trainees and other members.
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Deliver excellence in service to our Fellows, Trainees and other members for our operational activities, including enhancing our skills, capabilities and technology platforms and tools.
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Provide effective support to our valued committee members, examiners and other volunteers; and developing a recruitment and retention strategy for volunteer support.
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Realise our commitment to sustainability by implementing tangible initiatives to use resources efficiently, reduce waste and purchase wisely, taking environmental impacts into account.
RCPA Strategic Plan 2024 – 2027
Representing pathologists in Australasia RCPA.EDU.AU
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Durham Hall 207 Albion Street Surry Hills NSW 2010 Australia
Connect with us /TheRoyalCollegeOfPathologistsOfAustralasia @the_rcpa /the-royal-college-of-pathologists-of-australasia-rcpa @PathologyRCPA
This document was published in June 2024.