Update from RACS President on Meetings with Specialty Societies

The following update was provided by RACS President, Prof Owen Ung, following recent Annual RACS-Society Meetings.

I want to acknowledge the strength of our partnership with the specialty societies. The discussions were constructive, aligned, and focused on the issues that matter most to Fellows, Trainees and patients.

A key focus remains the Surgical Pathways Strategy. We are progressing a co-designed model that strengthens specialty leadership, reduces duplication and cost, and modernises training, while preserving RACS’ role as the independently accredited standard setter. This work will continue in close collaboration with societies, fellows and trainees, regulators and health services.

We have also strengthened governance and organisational performance. Recent reforms, including the transition to a skills-based Board, have strengthened accountability and decision-making. This has been complemented by the appointment of Fellow directors, including Dr Brian Owler and Dr Cathy Ferguson (incoming), bringing additional expertise to the Board. These changes are reflected in a strong financial position, with a third consecutive operating surplus and delivery of tangible member benefits and fee stability including reduced training costs .

RACS continues to advocate on issues that directly impact Fellows and patient care. This includes engagement on proposed Medical Cost Finder reforms, supporting transparency while advocating for no single fee, clinical oversight and appropriate review mechanisms, and on workforce planning, where we continue to reinforce that distribution and system capacity, rather than overall supply, are the core challenges. We remain concerned about blunt policy responses, such as the expedited pathway, that will not improve access to care.

A consistent theme across the meetings was the value of a unified profession. Our ability to uphold standards, influence policy and deliver for patients is strongest when we work together.

I look forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming ASC in Perth.

Professor Owen Ung
RACS President