While planned winter strategies are firmly in place, many EDs are telling me that they have been totally overwhelmed.
We are experts in our field, and we understand the many pressures on emergency departments. We are also well placed to share this knowledge and communicate what our patients need to drive change. This can happen on a variety of levels at ACEM. For me as President, this ranges from meeting members on the ground, in their workplaces, taking in network and committee contributions, at faculty meetings, at CAPP, COE and board level, and at government level meeting officials and opening channels to initiate much-needed change. We’re listening to you and acting on your behalf across multiple forums, ensuring your experiences are heard and translated into tangible improvements for our patients, our workplaces, and our health systems.
ACEM’s advocacy policies are informed by what members are observing, experiencing and reporting back to the College. It’s been good to visit some of our smaller hospitals, talk to people on the ground and see the amazing and innovative ways members are adapting models and initiatives to local conditions.
In Australia, my recent visits included Faculty meetings in Dubbo, Echuca and Hobart, and a series of EDs including Monash, Dandenong, the Alfred, Nambour, Coffs Harbour, Macksville, Kempsey, Port Macquarie and my old stomping ground, the Gold Coast.
In Aotearoa New Zealand, I visited EDs in the Hutt Valley, Dunedin, North Shore, Middlemore and Auckland City hospitals as well as the Kenepuru UCC, and engaged with the Council of Medical Colleges (CMC) in Wellington. We have been working with other colleges on guidelines around the government’s instruction to create Physician Associates. Similar discussions around scope of practice are also beginning in Australia, with the College proactive in releasing a statement There are no quick fixes for a healthcare workforce crisis. Updated guidance on the use of non-medical practitioners in EDs highlights the importance of careful planning, consultation and supervision to ensure that these roles are integrated safely into ED teams.
Regular meetings with health ministers, including new WA Minister for Health and Mental Health, Meredith Hammat, along with engagement with senior government officials has really been an invaluable part of my presidency. We have a seat at the table, have built and nurtured connections and are speaking up for the emergency medicine community. Constructive discussions are taking place about how we meet increasing demands in the future, all while providing the care that we know our patients desperately need, expect and deserve.
We are all busy, flooded with emails, competing commitments and demands, but it is so important for the College to keep hearing from you.
We recognise the pinch points of not enough aged care, disability support and mental health beds to meet community needs. These are all key advocacy priorities at ACEM, and staff are working hard behind the scenes to initiate meaningful and purposeful action for improvement in these areas. Look out for a new report coming soon to follow up 2018’s groundbreaking The Long Wait: An Analysis of Mental Health Presentations to Australian Emergency Departments.
We also recognise that keeping our members safe in their workplaces is a top priority. We followed up our Australian-focused report Breaking Point: An Urgent Call to Action on Emergency Department Safety with When Care Meets Conflict: Violence in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Emergency Departments. The report revealed that progress on boosting security staff has stalled in New Zealand and urgent action is required. Our strong message that violence should not be seen as an inherent part of the job, is taking a terrible toll on staff, and is simply not acceptable came through loud and clear through the media and is continuing to have an impact. Following the release of the report, NZ Faculty Chair Dr Kate Allan and Deputy Chair Dr Michael Connelly met with Aotearoa New Zealand Government Minister for Health, Simeon Brown.
In May I attended the Geriatrics and Emergency Medicine Seminar (GEMSEM) 25. With ageing populations and changing demographics impacting EDs everywhere this is a major issue, and it was wonderful to see a really successful conference producing statements on elder participation. I’d also like to highlight the really important work our GEM network is doing in driving change and delivering outcomes. We look forward to contributions from all our networks and to strengthening the College’s unique ability to draw upon passionate and productive expertise.
I also had the great pleasure of attending the International Conference on Emergency Medicine 2025 (ICEM) in Montreal, Canada, where FACEM Associate Professor Megan Cox was named IFEM Humanitarian of the Year and FACEM Associate Professor Anthony Joseph received the Order of the IFEM (FIFEM).
In June, the ACEM Board approved the introduction of a regional, rural and remote (RRR) training requirement for trainees commencing the FACEM Training Program from 2027. This development has been in preparation for over a decade, and I am so pleased it has come to fruition and has support from a lot of people and diverse groups.
A RRR training placement will give trainees the chance to build strong clinical skills by working with a wide range of cases typically seen in RRR settings. It will help develop well-rounded professionals with a solid generalist foundation. It can give trainees the full experience of EM by working in different departments and different settings and equip the new Fellow to be able to work anywhere, in any situation. Training in RRR areas also means trainees play a part in tackling healthcare inequalities and making sure quality care is available to everyone, regardless of their location. As work on the requirement evolves, the College will keep you updated via regular communications and an information page on the ACEM website.
I’m also really happy with the recent Assessment Improvement Reference Group (AIRG) exam review. I want to thank and congratulate former President and AIRG Chair Dr Clare Skinner and Censor-in-Chief and AIRG Deputy Chair Dr Kate Field for their exceptional efforts in this important space. The AIRG consultation process closed in July and valuable insights and feedback gained from DEMTs, examiners and trainees will translate into shaping the experience for future trainees. It may take time to evaluate responses, but it is a worthwhile process to ensure our graduates are capable, confident and well-equipped to serve their communities.
The Council of Advocacy, Practice and Partnerships (CAPP) has been working hard over the winter on a range of new documents and policies, and there are also exciting developments ahead for the Council of Education (COE). We will keep you informed.
I’d like to congratulate President-Elect Dr Peter Allely on his successful election and am looking forward to continuing our collaboration. I’d also like to thank candidate Dr Belinda Hibble. This election's strong field reflects the remarkable talent within the College.
It was fantastic to meet so many of the staff working industriously on behalf of ACEM’s members at ACEM Day. It was great to come together and exciting to see the enthusiasm and energy in the room. I’m looking forward to seeing tangible results of this day.
I hope to see more of you at the ASM in November on the Gold Coast. The theme is Riding the Wave of Change: Navigating the Future of Emergency Medicine. Dive in and register here.
While winter may officially be over, we still need to look after ourselves and the people around us. Please stay safe and take care.