Submitted by
Dr Gary Speck
Chairman
Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Mr Elton Humphery
Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
10 June 2009
Dear Mr Humphery
Re: Health Workforce Australia Bill 2009 Submission
1. The Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons draws the Senate’s attention to the following functions which are proposed for the Health
Workforce Agency:
- Workforce redesign and reform; and
- The provision of advice to health ministers.
2. The Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons places on the record its position on surgery undertaken by Orthopaedic Surgeons; the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders involving repair of joints and the cutting of bone and tendon. Delivery of orthopaedic services in Australia must remain at the present world leading standard.
3. The Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons does not support the cutting of bone and tendon by anyone other than those who have satisfactorily completed a medical degree and medical surgical training and who are licensed medical practitioners in good standing in any state of Australia and whose surgical skill has been recognised by fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
4. The Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons therefore expresses grave concern about the potential for sub-standard training and the licensing of non-medically qualified practitioners to cut bone and tendon by the processes in the Bill with consequent lowering of quality and safety of care for the community.
Yours faithfully
Dr Gary Speck
Chairman
Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons
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