Queensland surgeons to focus on surgical
culture in the public sector
Wednesday 28 October, 2009
Queensland surgeons will gather on the Gold Coast this weekend to discuss the changing surgical culture
in the state’s public hospital sector. The Annual State Meeting of the Royal Australasian College of
Surgeons’ Queensland Region will also focus on surgical outreach and retrieval services.
Queensland’s Deputy Premier and Minister for Health, the Hon. Paul Lucas, will address delegates on
Saturday morning, after which there will be a panel discussion and questions from the floor on issues of
current importance to surgeons.
Queensland Regional Chair, Dr Richard Lewandowski, will update delegates on international outreach
services, including the work of Operation Smile Australia – a project founded by Dr Lewandowski which
enables Australian plastic and reconstructive surgeons to work in less developed countries and to train
local medical teams.
Sunday’s proceedings will focus on the challenges facing surgeons working in Queensland’s public
hospitals. These include issues relating to safe working hours and fatigue management, bullying, theatre
performance, surgical leadership, and workforce management.
Delegates will also examine the means by which surgeons can be retained by, or encouraged to return to,
the public hospital system.
Conference Convenor, Dr Maurice Stevens, said the diversity of the meeting’s program was remarkable.
“In addition to our two broad themes – public hospital culture and surgical outreach – we’ve got
presentations ranging from rural surgical services and trauma delivery services to discussions on a new
Constitution for the College,” Dr Stevens said. “We’ve even got a lecture from the College President on
rock art.”
The Annual State Meeting runs from Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November, and is being held at the
Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove.
Media inquiries: Michael Barrett, Manager Media & Public Relations –
0429 028 933 or (03) 9249 1263
ROYAL AUSTRALASIAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS
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