Governance of Basic Physician Training in NSW

The training program in each network is overseen by the NSW Physician Training Council (PTC) and an individual Network Governance Committee (NGC).

NSW Physician Training Council (PTC)

The purpose of the Physician Training Council (PTC), formerly the Network Oversight Committee (NOC), is to promote high quality physician training by ensuring the effective functioning of the Network Governance Committees for basic physician training networks in NSW. It is also the role of the PTC is also to ensure equitable distribution of the trainee workforce across the training networks.

To view the NSW Physician Training Council Terms of Reference, click here.

What are the roles and responsibilities of the PTC?

The PTC is responsible for:

• Approving all basic physician training networks
• Approving any additional basic physician training sites
• Approving any additional basic physician training positions within a network
• Evaluating the composition and numbers of trainees within all networks
• Overseeing the distribution of funds

The PTC also provides an opportunity for basic physician training stakeholders to be involved in the decision making processes relevant to the delivery of basic physician training in NSW. Issues are referred to the PTC by the members of the committee, by the Network Governance Committees, Network Directors of Training, the NSW Trainees’ Committee or individual trainees.

For more information, or to make an application to the PTC, click on one of the following links:

Process for approval of requests by hospitals to be included in a networked training program
Network applications for additional Basic Physician Training Positions
Process for local issues submitted directly to NSW Specialty Training Councils

Trainees Appeal Process

If a trainee feels disadvantaged by the arrangements within a network, and this cannot be resolved by the NGC, the matter can be forwarded to the NSW PTC for review. To read the Trainees Appeals Process, click here.

Meeting and Dates 2009

Meeting Dates 2009 (Wed 8.00am - 10.00am)	Agenda items and papers due:
18 February 2009	4 February 2009
20 May 2009	6 May 2009
19 August 2009	5 August 2009
18 November 2009	4 November 2009

Physician Training Council Membership

Members	Name
PTC Chair (IMET)	Prof Annemarie Hennessy
Physician nominated by the RACP	Dr Ray Slobodniuk
NSW RACP Directors of Physician Training Committee
Network Director of Physician Training Representative	Dr Sandy Beveridge
3 x Basic Physician Trainee	Dr Chadi Ayoub Dr Elizabeth West Dr Katrina Morris
Advanced Physician Trainee	TBA
IMET	Ms Ellen Rawstron
Area Health Services	Ms Jeanette Sheridan
Hospital Director of Medical Services	A/Prof Ian Rewell
Nominee of NSW Health Department	Dr Linda MacPherson
Co-opted member	Mr Davy Loo

Network Governance Committees

Each network is governed by a local Network Governance Committee (NGC). It is the joint responsibility of the NGC and the relevant health services to maintain and improve the quality of basic physician training within the network, in accordance with standards and criteria set by the RACP.

Ultimately, through its work, the Network Governance Committee is responsible for the attraction, recruitment, and retention of trainees within its network. All NGCs are overseen by the NSW Physician Training Council.

What are the roles and responsibilities of the NGC?

The role of the NGC:

• Ensure safe, high quality training for basic physician trainees through good governance and management of the Network and its training program.
• Provide an opportunity for network stakeholders (trainees, Directors of Physician Training and administrators) to participate actively in the governance of the training network
• Provide a forum for discussion of ideas and strategies to improve training within the network or remedy identified deficiencies at local level
• Provide a locus of accountability for basic physician training within the network
• Support for the Network Director of Physician Training
• Ensure transparent and equitable network governance and management, including reporting on its operations and expenditure to NSW Health through the Physician Training Council

To read the Generic Network Governance Committee Terms of Reference, click here.

Meeting Frequency

The Network Governance Committee is required to meet at least once per training term (i.e. minimum four meetings per year). All meetings must have their minutes recorded. Minutes will be submitted to the NSW PTC every quarter.

The Physician Training Council will attend at least one of the Networks' scheduled meetings. The purpose of visiting the Networks is to develop the relationship between the PTC and the Networks and enhance communication. It also provides an opportunity for the PTC representatives to listen to specific trainee and training issues within the Network and allows the NGC and its members to seek more information on issues from the PTC.

Trainee Representation

Trainees play a fundamental role in the management of their training. Trainees are represented at all levels of governance in Basic Physician Training. Each NGC has trainee representatives on the RACP Trainees Committee, a sub-committee of the NSW PTC. In addition, the PTC has two basic trainee representatives and one advanced trainee representative. The Terms of Reference for both the NGCs and the PTC require that there is trainee representation on these committees. In addition, each clinical year the NGCs are asked to provide the names of two of their trainee representatives to participate as members of the NSW Trainees’ Committee.

NSW Trainees’ Committee

The Trainees’ Committee is run as part of the RACP and has two key functions: to run high quality events that improve the training experience of trainees and advocate on behalf of trainees. The Trainees’ Committee is also responsible for appointing three of its members as representatives of the NSW Physician Training Council.

For more information on the NSW Trainees’ Committee, please contact nsw.statecommittee@racp.edu.au

The following document has been produced by the NSW Trainees’ Committee:

Proposal for standards in Basic Physician Training - Excellence in Physician Training