President’s Report <strong>2009</strong> was a challenging <strong>and</strong> exciting year for the <strong>College</strong> both in Australia <strong>and</strong> <strong>New</strong> Zeal<strong>and</strong>. As this <strong>report</strong> demonstrates, we have made significant progress across a number <strong>of</strong> areas. ANZCA Strategic Plan 2010-2012 In <strong>2009</strong> the Council finalised the Strategic Plan for the next three years, which will guide the <strong>College</strong> in its activities in the future. The nine strategic priorities are: 1. Increase the engagement <strong>of</strong> the <strong>College</strong>’s members <strong>and</strong> the interaction with key external stakeholders. 2. Develop <strong>and</strong> communicate ANZCA’s position on the differing roles <strong>and</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional training required <strong>of</strong> Fellows <strong>and</strong> others providing sedation <strong>and</strong> anaesthesiarelated care. 3. Address projected training <strong>and</strong> workforce shortages. 4. Increase the support for research. 5. Enhance the level <strong>of</strong> support provided to our Fellows <strong>and</strong> trainees in the area <strong>of</strong> safety <strong>and</strong> quality. 6. Provide support for indigenous health. 7. Provide support for overseas aid. 8. Ensure that our Fellows are supported in their clinical training <strong>and</strong> assessment activities. 9. Undertake a constitutional review <strong>of</strong> the role <strong>of</strong> the Faculty <strong>of</strong> Pain Medicine within the <strong>College</strong>. “Health reforms in both Australia <strong>and</strong> <strong>New</strong> Zeal<strong>and</strong> continued to dem<strong>and</strong> our attention <strong>and</strong> the <strong>College</strong> is determined to ensure that any changes have appropriate clinical input so that st<strong>and</strong>ards are maintained <strong>and</strong> patient safety is protected.” Dr Leona Wilson President Independent <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> Intensive Care Medicine <strong>2009</strong> was notable for the establishment <strong>of</strong> the new <strong>College</strong> <strong>of</strong> Intensive Care Medicine <strong>of</strong> Australia <strong>and</strong> <strong>New</strong> Zeal<strong>and</strong> (CICMANZ) <strong>and</strong> the dissolution <strong>of</strong> the Joint Faculty <strong>of</strong> Intensive Care Medicine (JFICM). While this was the result <strong>of</strong> the decisions taken by the JFICM, ANZCA supported their right to make such a decision. The negotiations for separation proceeded in a very collegial <strong>and</strong> friendly fashion, <strong>and</strong> I am very grateful to Pr<strong>of</strong> Vernon van Heerden <strong>and</strong> Pr<strong>of</strong> John Myburgh from JFICM, as well as Pr<strong>of</strong> Kate Leslie from ANZCA, for their pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism. The vote <strong>of</strong> ANZCA Fellows endorsed the transfer <strong>of</strong> assets to CICMANZ, which paved the way for the smooth separation. The collegial nature <strong>of</strong> the separation has ensured the continuing good relationship between the two <strong>College</strong>s. Achievements The <strong>College</strong> accomplished a number <strong>of</strong> achievements <strong>and</strong> milestones in <strong>2009</strong>. Some <strong>of</strong> these achievements are listed on page 36-37. Examinations Dem<strong>and</strong> for training continues to grow with a record number <strong>of</strong> trainees <strong>and</strong> c<strong>and</strong>idates presenting for the Primary <strong>and</strong> Final Examinations. In <strong>2009</strong>, 419 c<strong>and</strong>idates sat the Pharmacology section <strong>of</strong> the primary Examination with a pass rate <strong>of</strong> 50.3 per cent <strong>and</strong> 423 c<strong>and</strong>idates sat the Physiology section with a pass rate <strong>of</strong> 37.8 per cent. A total <strong>of</strong> 371 c<strong>and</strong>idates successfully completed the Primary Examination. 334 c<strong>and</strong>idates sat the Final Examination in <strong>2009</strong> with a total pass rate <strong>of</strong> 74.2 per cent. Thanks to the Chairs <strong>of</strong> the Primary <strong>and</strong> Final Examinations, <strong>and</strong> the 120 Fellows sitting on the panel <strong>of</strong> Examiners for all their hard work in ensuring that the examinations were conducted to the highest level <strong>of</strong> quality <strong>and</strong> consistency. Outst<strong>and</strong>ing events <strong>and</strong> conferences This year the <strong>College</strong> conducted more than 60 continuing medical education events. The <strong>College</strong>’s <strong>Annual</strong> Scientific Meeting (ASM) in Cairns was an outst<strong>and</strong>ing success with 1870 registrants <strong>and</strong> some exceptional speakers, including distinguished international visitors. Congratulations to the organising committee on delivering such a high quality event. The ASM, together with a raft <strong>of</strong> well attended events <strong>and</strong> conferences across Australia <strong>and</strong> <strong>New</strong> Zeal<strong>and</strong>, shows there is a desire for learning, sharing <strong>of</strong> clinical information, <strong>and</strong> improving key areas <strong>of</strong> the pr<strong>of</strong>ession. Education Educationally, we have been very active, continuing the comprehensive review <strong>of</strong> the FANZCA curriculum <strong>and</strong> teacher training to ensure ANZCA remains at the forefront <strong>of</strong> high quality, innovation <strong>and</strong> best practice. Many Fellows <strong>and</strong> trainees are involved in this work <strong>and</strong> I am very grateful to them. We also ran a number <strong>of</strong> outst<strong>and</strong>ing clinical teaching courses, workshops <strong>and</strong> seminars in relation to accreditation, examinations, <strong>and</strong> IMGS <strong>and</strong> trainee performance reviews. Developing a range <strong>of</strong> online <strong>and</strong> distance educational activities remains a priority, especially for Fellows <strong>and</strong> trainees in regional <strong>and</strong> rural areas. Investing in medical research As a matter <strong>of</strong> long-established policy, 10 per cent <strong>of</strong> the annual subscription <strong>of</strong> Fellows is devoted to funding key research projects. Through this mechanism, ANZCA has established a proud record in funding important medical research. This year we announced $600,000 in grants for 2010 for 15 research projects involving anaesthesia, intensive care <strong>and</strong> pain medicine <strong>and</strong> perioperative medicine. Reviewing every grant is a painstaking process <strong>and</strong> the Research Committee <strong>and</strong> Fellows who give up their time <strong>and</strong> contribute to this very important area <strong>of</strong> the <strong>College</strong> are to be congratulated <strong>and</strong> thanked. It has been a busy year for the ANZCA Foundation. Fellows received a suite <strong>of</strong> materials about the Foundation, including the Bequest Program <strong>and</strong> Patrons Program which have also been distributed widely outside the <strong>College</strong>. Notwithst<strong>and</strong>ing difficult economic conditions, it is gratifying that the Foundation continues to be supported generously by Fellows <strong>and</strong> the wider community. Improving quality <strong>and</strong> safety Efforts to improve anaesthesia quality <strong>and</strong> safety continued in <strong>2009</strong>. The Australia <strong>and</strong> <strong>New</strong> Zeal<strong>and</strong> Tripartite Anaesthetic Data (ANZTAD) Committee – involving the <strong>College</strong>, the <strong>Australian</strong> Society <strong>of</strong> Anaesthetists (ASA) <strong>and</strong> the <strong>New</strong> Zeal<strong>and</strong> Society <strong>of</strong> Anaesthetists (NZSA) – has established an anaesthesia incident monitoring system, which is currently being piloted in a number <strong>of</strong> hospitals in Australia <strong>and</strong> <strong>New</strong> Zeal<strong>and</strong>. This will enable timely <strong>and</strong> comprehensive incident <strong>report</strong>ing, monitoring <strong>and</strong> analysis <strong>and</strong> feedback to Fellows <strong>and</strong> members <strong>of</strong> the ASA <strong>and</strong> NZSA. This has been an intensive effort by the ANZTAD Committee. The ANZCA Mortality Working Group released the 2003-2005 Safety <strong>of</strong> Anaesthesia publication, however difficulties remain in some regions which are not currently contributing to mortality <strong>report</strong>ing. This will remain a major focus in 2010. The Quality <strong>and</strong> Safety Committee has overseen a number <strong>of</strong> improvements including the development <strong>and</strong> review <strong>of</strong> <strong>College</strong> documents, revised the anaesthesia clinical indicators, improved quality <strong>and</strong> safety communication through the ANZCA E-<strong>New</strong>sletter <strong>and</strong> ANZCA Bulletin, <strong>and</strong> have laid the foundation for a quality <strong>and</strong> safety network across all Regional <strong>and</strong> National <strong>of</strong>fices. Council During <strong>2009</strong> three Councillors resigned: Dr Margie Cowling, Dr Peter Cook <strong>and</strong> Dr Richard Waldron. All three made significant contributions to the <strong>College</strong>, <strong>and</strong> will be missed. In their place, we were very pleased to welcome Dr Rod Mitchell, Dr Mark Reeves <strong>and</strong> Dr Pat Farrell. Each brings considerable strengths to Council, <strong>and</strong> we are grateful that they have <strong>of</strong>fered their services to ANZCA. Conclusion <strong>2009</strong> was a busy <strong>and</strong> active year for the <strong>College</strong>. While economic developments globally are challenging (but improving), the <strong>College</strong> remains in a strong financial position. Health reforms in both Australia <strong>and</strong> <strong>New</strong> Zeal<strong>and</strong> continued to dem<strong>and</strong> our attention <strong>and</strong> the <strong>College</strong> is determined to ensure that any changes have appropriate clinical input so that st<strong>and</strong>ards are maintained <strong>and</strong> patient safety is protected. I thank all Fellows for their input <strong>and</strong> expertise, without which we would simply not be able to <strong>of</strong>fer the level <strong>and</strong> quality <strong>of</strong> services to ensure that the <strong>College</strong> remains at the forefront <strong>of</strong> medical education in Australia <strong>and</strong> <strong>New</strong> Zeal<strong>and</strong>. I would particularly like to thank our regional <strong>and</strong> national committees, supervisors <strong>of</strong> training, examiners, working groups, tutors, community representatives, college solicitor, <strong>and</strong> Councillors for their commitment, enthusiasm <strong>and</strong> sheer hard work. Finally, the <strong>College</strong> is well served by a committed group <strong>of</strong> talented staff at the <strong>College</strong>’s <strong>of</strong>fices in Australia <strong>and</strong> <strong>New</strong> Zeal<strong>and</strong>. Their efforts are acknowledged <strong>and</strong> greatly appreciated. I would especially like to thank Dr Mike Richards, our CEO, who has been tireless in his work modernising <strong>and</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essionalising the <strong>College</strong>. With the changes he has led, we are very well equipped to serve our community by promoting safe <strong>and</strong> high quality care in anaesthesia, pain medicine <strong>and</strong> intensive care medicine. 4 ANZCA <strong>Annual</strong> Report <strong>2009</strong> ANZCA <strong>Annual</strong> Report <strong>2009</strong> 5
6 ANZCA <strong>Annual</strong> Report <strong>2009</strong> ANZCA <strong>Annual</strong> Report <strong>2009</strong> 7