Medical Training Review Panel 19th Report

Accreditation

With the accreditation of hospital posts for SET, the specialties each accredit specific hospital positions according to the level of training they are able to offer a trainee.

Specialist surgical training is conducted in surgical training posts in which the trainees are supervised and mentored by appropriately qualified surgeons. Accreditation is based on 43 criteria grouped within seven standards as follows:

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  Standard 1 - education facilities and systems required;
  
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  Standard 2 - quality of education, training and learning;
  
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  Standard 3 - surgical supervisors and staff;
  
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  Standard 4 - support services for trainees;
  
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  Standard 5 - clinical load and theatre sessions;
  
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  Standard 6 - equipment and clinical support services; and
  
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  Standard 7 - clinical governance, quality and safety.
  

Hospitals that wish to host a new training post or seek reaccreditation of current posts are invited to make a submission to the college documenting how the post satisfies the minimum requirements for accreditation. Submissions are considered by the relevant specialty board for compliance and posts may be accredited on the basis of this assessment. However, the usual practice is the recommendation of an inspection visit.

Inspection teams are nominated by the specialty board and jurisdictions are invited to nominate a representative as a full member of the team. On completion of an inspection visit, the team will prepare a draft report containing the recommendation. This report is sent to the hospital for comment on factual matters. The final draft report is then prepared for review by the specialty board, which makes a recommendation on accreditation to the Board of Surgical Education and Training.

The recommendation of the Board is incorporated into the final report and the decision communicated to the hospital.

Hospital accreditation is regularly reviewed. It is recognised that facilities at different hospitals positions will vary throughout a training program and the specialties maintain

a constant vigil as to the efficacy of each position.