Read the highlights of key issues discussed at the RACP Board meeting on 8 April 2020.

COVID-19 update

We were given an update on the effects of COVID-19 on the College:

• 145 Macquarie Street is locked down. Staff have adapted well to the challenge, showing a strong commitment to adapt and provide the services for the Fellows.
• There is now a HR shift in focus on staff, welfare for the people working at home and in isolation. AFOEM are preparing materials aimed at helping employers help staff in a COVID-19 environment.
• RACP Congress is starting to set up some virtual sessions.
• IT have done an exceptional job getting staff all working remotely, the College has adjusted well to operating electronically.

In terms of advocacy:

• access to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) has become a high priority, which is now on the Government’s radar
• the availability of Telehealth has been extended after College advocacy
• the Māori Health Committee have developed a statement of the impact of COVID-19 on Māori Peoples, particularly the inequity of healthcare and ongoing issues, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee are making similar statements
• hospitals are managing the existing patients as well as COVID-19 requirements

The College Education Committee (CEC) determined there should be no limitation to progression for trainees. The CEC will continue to work through this with the Advanced Training Committees to work with and support trainees to complete and gain their Fellowship status.

The Board discussed the welfare of trainees in the context of COVID-19. Trainees have been contacted on their welfare and training on 3 occasions in the last 3 months The College has made it extremely clear that maximum flexibility for Basic Trainees will be provided and the training committees have been advised of this.

Financial forecast

The COVID-19 implications on the financial forecast looked at current analysis and modelling on the impact of known lost revenues and the potential impact of other decisions over the next 12 to 18 months.

Directors were informed that the lockdown is expected to be at least until the end of June 2020 thus unlikely that people would be doing a great deal of travel from this point.

In terms of online learning, there will be more online training provided to Fellows. Podcasts and online learning will reviewed as to how they can be used better.

Director duties

It was noted that the director training required would be undertaken following the Annual General Meeting.