Expanded & Outer Metropolitan Specialist Training

Expanded & Outer Metropolitan Specialist Training - Applying for Funding

Background

The Expanded Specialist Training Program (ESTP) and the Outer Metropolitan Specialist Training Program (OMSTP) are funding initiatives by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing (DHA). The aim is to enable medical specialist trainees to undertake training rotations in an expanded range of settings outside traditional public teaching hospitals.

For RANZCOG trainees these training posts could be either in the Integrated Training Program (i.e. general O&G training) or the Elective training program. NOTE: Post-Fellowship posts are NOT eligible for funding; however, pre-Fellowship training in subspecialities may be eligible.

The DHA is currently seeking funding applications for 2009-2010.

Funding available: $100,000 + GST per post.

Period funded: Minimum 1 year; maximum 2 years.

Possible Training Settings/Arrangements

Eligible specialist training settings under these two programs include:

• Private hospitals
• Specialists' rooms
• Clinics
• Day surgeries
• Publicly funded health care facilities

Possible training options:

• Senior registrar working full-time in a private hospital or private rooms
• ITP trainees working/training one or two days per week in a private hospital or consulting room (e.g. for ultrasound experience or to gain additional general gynaecological operating experience), the remaining three or four days in the public system
• Elective trainees working for a substantial proportion of their training time in a private hospital, with the remaining time spent in private consulting rooms

Funding Criteria

The proposed posts for which funding is sought must meet the following criteria (as defined by the DHA):

• Demonstrate a strong educational imperative i.e. the application must show evidence of how the post will meet College training requirements and enhance the trainee's learning opportunities. (NOTE: The ESTP and the OMSTP are medical workforce training programs, not workforce supply programs, so applications aimed only at meeting a workforce need would not be successful.)
• Relate to a formal training program leading to Fellowship
• Relate to a position located in Australia
• Be filled by trainees who are Australian citizens or have permanent resident status in Australia
• Have the support of both the College and the relevant health jurisdiction
• Accreditation or progress towards accreditation of the post by the College (see below for further information)

Important Note: The DHA has indicated that applications relating to posts in rural, regional or outer metropolitan locations will be given preference for funding, but metropolitan sites are also encouraged to apply.

How to Apply for Funding

Applications for new posts or for continued funding for existing ESTP or OMSTP posts must be made directly to the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing using their application form.

The deadline for submission of applications is 5pm (AEST), 30 May 2008.

Essential: All applications should be prepared in consultation with the College to ensure that the application will obtain College support. For initial advice/information, please contact:

Shaun McCarthy
Manager, Training Services
(t) +61 3 9412 2917
(e) smccarthy@ranzcog.edu.au

Accreditation of Posts by the College

As indicated above, funded posts must be accredited or in the process of being accredited by the college. The RANZCOG will be conducting formal accreditation visits to sites applying for funding under the ESTP. These visits will be conducted by a small team from the College comprising an interstate Fellow, a senior College staff member and a trainee representative.

The accreditation criteria will be based on relevant sections of the current RANZCOG Guidelines for the Re-accreditation of ITP Hospitals. A summary of the key accreditation standards in this document is available. ( 156 KB)

The complete guidelines are also available. ( 317 KB)

Important Note: Submission of applications to the DHA is not dependent on having an accreditation site visit (i.e. these visits do not have to take place prior to the application deadline of 30 May 2008). However, final approval of posts for 2009 and/or 2010 will be dependent on a successful accreditation by the College.

Further Information

Full details are available on the application form.

Additional information from the DHA can be obtained by email: expanded.specialist.training@health.gov.au

© RANZCOG