Chair's Report - December 2025
Dear Colleagues
What does RACS NSW do?
This is a question I am asked often, and the answer is that our role is broad, active and deeply connected to the surgical community in New South Wales. RACS NSW leads advocacy, member engagement, and representation of NSW surgeons at the binational College level. We work closely with the NSW Ministry of Health, including the Health Secretary and the Minister for Health, to ensure that the perspectives and priorities of surgeons are heard in key policy discussions. We run a wide range of events and programs for medical students, Trainees, SIMGs and Fellows, helping to support the surgical pipeline and strengthen our professional community. Our State Committee meetings are enriched by strong collaboration, with regular participation from surgical societies, HETI, ANZCA, and the NSW Trauma Committee.
Our work depends on engaged and committed Fellows, Trainees and SIMGs who are passionate about shaping the future of surgery in our state. I encourage any Fellow with an interest in advocacy, education, or system improvement to put their hand up and stand in the next State Committee elections. Your voice and involvement genuinely make a difference. An example of our advocacy was the Roundtable.
Roundtable Highlights
The NSW Surgical Services Roundtable brought together NSW Health, Ministry representatives, and surgical leaders to discuss the future of surgery in NSW.
Key Themes
- Equity of Access - I stressed the need for fair access across urban, rural, and remote areas, with a focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, multicultural needs, and workforce shortages.
- Recovery & Sustainability - Prof Neil Merrett addressed post-COVID pressures (anaesthetic shortages, bed block, resource constraints) and called for more same-day surgery, guideline reviews, and value-based care.
- Future Strategy - Dr Grahame Smith raised big-picture questions: expanding public clinics with VMOs, harnessing robotics and AI, and using Medicare data to uncover hidden waiting lists.
Outcomes & Action items
- Refocus KPIs on patient outcomes (throughput, wait times).
- Explore expanded public clinics with VMOs.
- Align clinic growth with operating list capacity.
- Analyse public vs private trends using Medicare data (2015-2025).
- Develop a CMO career pathway in partnership with NSW Health.
- Plan workforce strategies to support Fellows seeking public roles.
- Promote high-value, evidence-based care across specialties.
Next Steps
There was strong support for ongoing workforce planning, efficient care models, and equitable access. A follow-up Roundtable will be held next year to continue this strategic work.
Other Advocacy News
Through advocacy, RACS has been working on a process to strengthen the existing SIMG comparability pathway rather than introducing an expedited process. We have emphasised to the federal government that workforce solutions must address genuine areas of shortage—particularly in rural and regional settings—while upholding patient safety. RACS will continue to advocate with the federal government with our specialty societies as we are stronger together.
We acknowledged that the SIMG pathway has been marked by delays in the past. In response, RACS has worked hard to streamline processes and continues to refine them to ensure fairness, efficiency, and transparency for international medical graduates who become valued members of our surgical fraternity.
Registrars' Papers Day and Surgeons' Evening
On 1 November, we held our Registrars' Papers Day followed by our annual Surgeons' Evening. The two papers winners were Dr Eve Hopping and Dr Charles Risbey. The Graham Coupland Lecture was delivered by Dr Sally Butchers, the past president of the GSA. The dinner was a lovely celebration of Surgery and Surgeons. The Secretary of Health attended and enjoyed the event. I would hope that more Fellows will attend in 2026 for what is the social highlight of RACS NSW.
Why Unity Matters
RACS has frozen fees, tightened costs, and projects a modest surplus for 2025. Savings are being passed back to members while ensuring transparency and accountability. Read more.
Cross-specialty collaboration has delivered real wins:
- Title protection for "surgeon"
- Strong representation in recent health system reviews
Disunity weakens our collective voice and risks opening the door to greater government control. Remaining within RACS ensures strong education, unified standards, and international recognition.
Together, we are stronger
Wishing all our surgeons and trainees, a very Merry Christmas and a restorative holiday season. Your skill, compassion, and commitment continue to make an extraordinary difference to the people of NSW. Thank you for the work you do—often unseen, always significant. May the holiday season bring you joy, rest, and a bright start to the new year.
2025 Award recipients
• NSW Merit Award, Dr Warren Hargreaves
• Service to the Community award, Dr John Crozier
• Educator of Merit award, Dr John Gan
• Graham Coupland Lecture and Medal, Dr Sally Butchers
• Women in Leadership award, A/Prof Sarah Aitken
• Annual Medical Student award, Jennifer Novo
• Papers Day - Scientific Lab Based award, Dr Eve Hopping
• Papers Day - Clinical Research award, Dr Charles Risbey
