The Medical Board of Australia (MBA) has released new details of its plan to fast-track certain internationally qualified medical specialists into the national health system without the need to sit exams.
The consultation is part of major workforce reforms following the ‘Kruk Review’ into removing “unnecessary regulatory barriers” faced by internationally qualified health professionals. It’s hoped cutting red tape will make Australia a more attractive destination for foreign health professionals and alleviate workforce pressures, leading to better healthcare for the population.
The MBA has released a draft consultation closing 3 July 2024 to meet reform deadlines set by Australia’s health ministers.
The proposed fast-track pathway uses an existing provision in the National Law and will sit alongside the existing specialist medical college assessment system which will remain in place for specialist international medical graduates (SIMGs) who are not eligible for the expedited pathway.
The board said the expedited pathway would recognise specific overseas specialist medical qualifications and grant upfront specialist registration to eligible doctors.
“The board, with input from the Australian Medical Council and specialist medical colleges, will develop and publish a list of qualifications that it considers are substantially equivalent or based on similar competencies to an approved specialist qualification for the specialty,” the consultation paper stated.
“The expedited pathway will not require a college assessment of the individual.”
However, initial conditions on their registration will be imposed as a safeguard while the new recruits are inducted into Australia’s healthcare system.
GPs, anaesthetists, obstetricians and gynaecologists, and psychiatrists are the priority specialties for now, with the fast-track pathway targeted to start for GPs in October 2024, and December 2024 for other priority medical specialties.
“[The] proposed changes to the registration standard aim to make the pathways to specialist registration clearer, establish the expedited pathway, remove outdated regulatory barriers and improve workforce flexibility, while maintaining standards,” the MBA said.
Ahpra and the MBA have set up a taskforce to develop the new expedited pathway, with MBA consulting the specialist colleges for the priority medical specialities to finalise the list of qualifications that will be the gateway to fast-track registration.
The board’s SIMG Taskforce lead, Dr Susan O’Dwyer, encouraged all agencies and individuals involved in recruiting and employing SIMGs to take part in the consultation.
“Australia has a complicated health system with shared responsibilities and accountabilities across agencies. We also share many common goals – most importantly, to enable safe medical care for Australians who need it, when they need it,” she said.
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