Read the highlights of key issues discussed at the RACP Board meeting on 7 August 2020.
Board and Committee annual performance review process
The Board discussed Board and Committee performance assessment reviews against the functions, as provided in the Constitution and By-laws.
We noted the number of committees and agreed to 2 yearly reviews of Board Committees. These inform each committee's performance against its functions, identify trends and assess where the resource focus is.
The process provides committees with the ability to self-reflect.
Director Committee appointments
We appointed Dr Greg Stewart as Chair and Director member of the Fellowship Committee.
We also cancelled the 5 June 2020 resolution to only have one Board Director on the College Journals Committee and appointed Dr Jacqueline Small and Ms Monica Schlesinger as Director members to the College Journals Committee.
Diversity requirements strengthened in policies and by-laws
Directors asked that the Appointments to College Bodies Policy include diversity and the Indigenous Strategic Framework as guiding principles.
The Board approved amendments to AFPHM By-laws to enable appointment of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and Māori persons who are qualified as a medical practitioner and/or public health practitioner.
Financial reporting update
The College is in a strong position. Management reports for the year ended 30 June 2020 show:
- a net surplus of $2.8m (2019 - $5.2m)
- a net asset position of $103.4m (2019 - $105m)
- the College has sufficient cash and other assets to pay its debts as and when they are due
Indigenous Strategic Framework
We noted there had been a great deal of discussion with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and the Māori Health committees to form recommendations to grow the base of Indigenous physicians.
This approach has been successfully implemented in Aotearoa New Zealand, with the intake of Māori medical students exceeding population ratios in recent years. Australia is slower to progress in this space.
Further information is required to inform financial modelling and resourcing, with a paper anticipated to come to the September 2020 Board meeting.
Divisional Clinical Exams and Provisional Advanced Training update
We noted the time pressures to provide trainees with adequate notice of exam dates and allow them to prepare for the exam.
We were advised that the College will need to remain flexible and considerate of the impact of COVID-19 in the different countries and states, noting the importance not to give advantage to one over another. Subject to COVID-19, Aotearoa New Zealand and some Australian states will continue as scheduled.
There has been a great deal of commitment by the staff and committees to come up with suitable solutions for the members.
We noted the dates and new modular approach for the Divisional Clinical Examination and supporting provisional Advance Training process.
Constitution review – Board priorities
The College has communicated with members, asking them to contribute high level ideas on what they would like changed and to raise issues and areas they would like considered, other than those already identified as part of the Constitution review. The list of items will be brought back to the Board for consideration.
While there will be rolling communications, the initial communications are a brainstorming exercise to capture member thoughts and issues for management to consider how and if these may be covered when redeveloping the Constitution.
We agreed to promote further communication of the process with members and trainees.