Network based Psychiatry Training: How it works

Psychiatry Training Networks in NSW

There are 5 networks for Basic and Generalist Advanced Training each managed by a Network Governance Committee (NGC).  There is a Network Director of Training (NDOT) appointed for each. Full details click here

A.    Hunter New England Training Network (HNET)
B.    North Sydney Central Coast Network (NSCC)
C.    Western FAB (WFAB)
D.    South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Training Network (SESI)
E.    Sydney South West North Coast (SSWNC)

There are 7 networks for Statewide Subspecialist Advanced Training each managed by Subspecialist Advanced Training Sub-Committee (SSATSC). There is a State Director of Advanced Training (DOAT) appointed for each. click here

• Psychotherapy                         
• Forensic                      
• Adult
• Old Age
• Addictions
• Consultation-Liaise
• Child & Adolescent

Training networks include metropolitan and rural sites all accredited for training by the RANZCP.

Governance of Network Based Training

Network Oversight Committee (NOC)

The NOC has been established to promote high quality psychiatry training by ensuring the effective functioning of the Network Governance Committees (NGC) and the State Subspecialty Advanced Training Sub-Committees in NSW. The terms of reference for the NOC can be seen here

The NOC provides an opportunity for all groups important to psychiatry training to be involved in the decision making processes relevant to the delivery of psychiatry training in NSW. Issues can be referred to the NOC by members of the committee, by Network Directors and Committees, State Directors of Subspecialty Advanced Training and trainees (from March 2006 via the Trainees’ Sub Committee). The NOC utilises the ‘Principles for the Delivery of Psychiatry Training in NSW’ as a guide for decision making. You can view the Principles document here

The NOC meets bi-monthly at IMET in the grounds of the Gladesville Hospital. Submissions for the agenda need to be sent by the due date to the Psychiatry Support Officer jjacinto@imet.health.nsw.gov.au for consideration by the NOC Chair. Current membership of the NOC can be viewed here  

NOC meeting dates for 2009	All submissions for Agenda due:
5 February	19 January
7 May	20 April
2 July	15 June
1 October	14 September
3 December	16 November

Network Oversight Committee Priority Areas

Information on the 2007-2011 Strategic Plan for the Network Oversight Committee (NOC) can be seen here.  2009 priority work areas are:

1. Improving quality of supervision
2. Increase Psychiatry involvement in pre-vocational training
3. Equitable distribution of training positions and training conditions in rural locations
4. Education support for mandatory training requirements and advanced training
5. Workforce initiatives to retain current trainees

Rural training continues to be an important priority area for the NOC. The 2007 report from the NOC Rural Working party on its visits to rural training sites can be viewed here 

Trainees’ Sub-Committee

This is a sub-committee of the NOC and is an important link between Psychiatry Trainees and the Network Oversight Committee, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatrists in Training (ANZAPT) and the training networks. The terms of reference for this committee can be found here 

Membership of the committee includes trainees from each of the networks. The Committee meets regularly and agenda items can be forwarded by the due date to the Psychiatry Support Officer jjacinto@imet.health.nsw.gov.au for consideration by the Chair.

For more information on this group and its priority work areas view here 

TSC meeting dates for 2008	All submissions for Agenda due:
12 March	23 February
28 May	11 May
13 August	27 July
12 November	26 October

 
Network Governance Committees

Each of the five Basic and Generalist Advanced Training networks has a Network Governance Committee (NGC) which is responsible for the delivery of psychiatry training within its network. Its role is to ensure trainees receive high quality teaching and supervision across the network with coordinated allocation to terms within the network. The NGC is also responsible for ensuring equitable distribution of trainees across the network. The NGCs work closely with the NOC and the RANZCP NSW Branch Training Committee to provide the best training opportunities. The terms of reference for the NGCs can be viewed here

Membership of the NGC includes Network Director of Training, Site Coordinators of Training, representatives from hospital administration and trainees. Meetings are held regularly during term. Further information can be found at each network site view here 

NGCs report quarterly to the NOC and IMET on workforce and training issues. Reporting dates and proformas can be accessed here

State Subspecialty Advanced Training Sub-Committee

Each of the seven Subspecialties in Psychiatry has a Training Sub-Committee (SSATSC). These are responsible for ensuring advanced trainees receive high quality teaching and supervision across the statewide network and that the training is consistent with RANZCP requirements. The terms of reference for the SSATSCs can be viewed here 

Further information on Advanced Training can be viewed here.

Network Oversight Committee Initiatives

• Rural Scholarship Program
  The policy and process for the Rural Scholarship is under review with the Department of Health.  We expect to hear shortly and informatin on the new policy will be sent out to the networks once available.  Until that time the current process continues.

This IMET scholarship (to the value of $2,000) will be awarded to trainees who have completed at least double the minimum requirement of a rural rotation (minimum RANZCP NSW requirement is 3 months FTE). The scholarship is provided to assist with approved educational expenses such as relevant courses and exam fees. This is capped at a maximum of $6,000 per trainee per annum. Trainees based in rural sites are also eligible.

Click here to view the full application procedure and form.

• Psychiatry Education Support Fund (ESF)
  ESF supports and encourages innovative projects and developments aimed at enhancing Psychiatry training delivery in NSW. Applications are sought each year for this funding from Training providers. The process is being reviewed by the NOC and iinformation on the 2009 application round will be released shortly.
  
• Expanded Settings for Specialist Training Program (ESSTP)
  This program is a Commonwealth Government initiative to support increasing the available training places for medical specialties. Applications for ESSTP funding need to be made using the appropriate form, have the support of the local Psychiatry Network Governance Committee and be supported by the RANZCP. Once approved, the NOC will allocate the new site to an appropriate network. Information will be sent to all netowrks once available.