Media Releases

The most recent media releases released by the College are listed below.  View the 2010 media releases.

2012

Military teamwork a model for surgeons (PDF 19 KB)
10 May 2012

Surgeons can improve their work practices by adopting some of the tenets and values of military personnel, delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told.

Australia and Malaysia working together to improve craniofacial surgical outcomes (PDF 19 KB)
10 May 2012

Delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told of the longstanding partnership of Australian and Malaysian craniofacial surgeons.

Surgical training in the private sector - the patients' perception (PDF 19 KB)
10 May 2012

While debate over the viability of widespread surgical training in the private sector continues, delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been given a glimpse of patients' views on the subject.

Safely introducing a new surgical technique (PDF 19 KB)
10 May 2012

Delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told of a safe and effective approach to adrenalectomy, the surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands.

The outreach work of General Surgeons in rural practice (PDF 29 KB)
9 May 2012

General Surgeons working in larger rural centres should be encouraged to include outreach services to surrounding smaller towns in their practice, delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told.

Preventing children's campfire related burns (PDF 29 KB)
9 May 2012

Delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that despite being the focus of prevention campaigns, significant numbers of children continue to suffer campfire related burns (CRB).

Perth Convention Bureau teams with College of Surgeons to advance the cause of academic surgery (PDF 24 KB)
9 May 2012

The recipients of travel grants made possible by the Perth Convention Bureau were announced today at the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Geelong Hospital's Emergency Surgery Project - Measuring its effectiveness (PDF 15 KB)
9 May 2012

Delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that the introduction of a dedicated emergency surgical list can improve the timeliness of care and patient outcomes.

Tackling flesh eating bacteria in the Outback (PDF 25 KB)
9 May 2012

Central Australia has a higher incidence of necrotising fasciitis, or flesh eating bacteria, than elsewhere in Australia, delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told.

The future of New Zealand's plastic surgery (PDF 20 KB)
8 May 2012

A substantial proportion of New Zealand is at risk of increasingly inadequate access to specialist plastic surgery services, delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told.

The progress of bariatric surgery in Malaysia (PDF 30 KB)
8 May 2012

Delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that while bariatric surgery is a proven treatment for obesity, it is yet to achieve popular acceptance in Malaysia.

Preventing and treating lawnmower injuries in children (PDF 20 KB)
8 May 2012

Efforts to prevent lawnmower related injuries (LRI) in children should be redoubled, delegates to
the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have
been told.

The intra-gastric balloon effective in promoting weight loss (PDF 30 KB)
8 May 2012

The insertion of the Orbera intra-gastric balloon is an effective temporary weight loss measure, delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told.

Towards higher breast reconstruction rates for mastectomy patients (PDF 50 KB)
7 May 2012

Delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that while breast reconstruction has been shown to be safe with a high patient satisfaction rate, fewer than 10 per cent of Australian women opt for reconstruction after a mastectomy.

Surgical volunteerism in New Zealand (PDF 65 KB)
7 May 2012

Delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that the Canterbury Charity Hospital Trust (CCHT) is helping address unmet need for surgery and other secondary healthcare in the Canterbury region of New Zealand.

New surgical procedure can relieve arthritic pain in the wrist joints (PDF 50 KB)
7 May 2012

Delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told of a new surgical procedure which can relieve arthritic pain in the carpometacarpal (CMC) joints, five joints in the wrist that articulate the distal row of carpal bones and the proximal bases of the five metacarpal bones.

How behaviour influences surgical outcomes (PDF 20 KB)
7 May 2012

The personal behaviour of surgeons can affect the quality of clinical performance, delegates to the 81st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told.

Life Insurance and Genetic Testing for Prostate Cancer (PDF 35 KB)
3 May 2012

Genetic testing for prostate cancer may affect a person's ability to obtain life insurance, an article in the latest issue of the ANZ Journal of Surgery has warned.

ANZASM Annual Report released (PDF 20 KB)
16 April 2012

The second annual report of the Australian and New Zealand Audit of Surgical Mortality (ANZASM), a national quality assurance program aimed at the ongoing improvement of surgical care, was released today.

First vascular audit released (PDF 67 KB)
26 March 2012

The Australasian Vascular Surgical Audit, which is designed to improve surgical performance and enhance patient outcomes, has captured 65 per cent of estimated procedures in its first year, an article in the latest issue of the ANZ Journal of Surgery states.

Queensland surgeons secure undertakings on elective and emergency surgery (PDF 85 KB)
19 March 2012

Queensland surgeons have welcomed undertakings from both major political parties that the measurement of patient load and the smoother flow of surgical patients will be a priority if they are elected to government.

Australasian surgeons to meet in Kuala Lumpur (PDF 71 KB)
Australasian surgeons to meet in Kuala Lumpur in Bahasa Malaysia (PDF 71 KB)
13 March 2012

Up to 2,500 delegates from around Australia and New Zealand are expected to gather in Kuala Lumpur in early May for the 81^st Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Better organisation can improve surgical services (PDF 95 KB)
27 February 2012

A major reorganisation of surgical services is needed to improve the delivery of these services, an article in the latest issue of the ANZ Journal of Surgery asserts. This should include the development of high volume short-stay surgical services (HVSS), the establishment of specialty centres and the streaming of emergency and planned surgery.

Associate Professor Michael Hollands elected next President of the College of Surgeons (PDF 69 KB)
23 February 2012

Associate Professor Michael Hollands, a General Surgeon with major interests in gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary surgery and trauma, has been elected the next President of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Surgeons welcome inaugural Perioperative Mortality Report (PDF 85 KB)
15 February 2012

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has welcomed the release of the inaugural Report of the Perioperative Mortality Review Committee (POMRC).

Communique RACS/RACP Regarding Specialist Practice Incentive Payments (PDF 80 KB)
13 February 2012

E-health continues to be a significant element in the government's health agenda. For e-health to be successful, all medical practitioners throughout Australia will need to adopt e-health technologies.

Surgeons fear unsustainable pressure on public health system (PDF 70 KB)
10 February 2012

Surgeons fear that means testing the Private Health Insurance Rebate will add further pressure to an Australian public health system that has already reached breaking point.

SA surgeons slam hospital downgrade (PDF 70 KB)
30 January 2012

South Australian surgeons have slammed a decision by the state government to downgrade intensive care services at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) by 2016, warning it will seriously compromise patient care and have a detrimental impact on surgical training in South Australia.

2011

New recommendations for adolescent bariatric surgery (PDF 92 KB)
15 December 2011

Adolescents should be at least 15 years of age and have a Body Mass Index greater than 40 if they are to be eligible for bariatric surgery, a perspective in the latest ANZ Journal of Surgery states. They should also have associated complications such as Type 2 diabetes and have persistent problems despite undertaking lifestyle programs.

Surgeons call for common sense on our streets (PDF 80 KB)
1 December 2011

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has again endorsed the trans-Tasman policing initiative, Operation Unite, calling on young people to exercise common sense while out enjoying themselves this weekend.

Injury risk from aerosol cans (PDF 94 KB)
15 November 2011

Young men are most at risk of injury when using pressurised aerosol cans, a report in the latest ANZ Journal of Surgery reveals.

Trauma experts converge on Melbourne for Trauma Week (PDF 73 KB)
14 November 2011

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons today welcomes trauma surgeons and trauma specialists from overseas and around Australia to Melbourne for its annual Trauma Week.

College of Surgeons to insist on proven record of hand hygiene (PDF 85 KB)
10 November 2011

Medical graduates wishing to pursue a career in surgery will have to demonstrate a commitment to hand hygiene if they are to be accepted into the training program of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Plastic Surgery - a misunderstood specialty (PDF 73 KB)
20 October 2011

Several factors explain widespread misconceptions about the work of plastic surgeons, an article in the latest issue of the ANZ Journal of Surgery reveals.

Surgeons to gather in Wangaratta (PDF 66 KB)
Wednesday 20 October 2011

Surgeons from around Victoria will gather in Wangaratta this weekend for the Annual General Scientific and Fellowship Meeting (AGSFM) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Western Australian Audit of Surgical Mortality releases 2011 Annual Report (PDF 63 KB)
Thursday 13 October 2011

The 2011 report of the Western Australian Audit of Surgical Mortality (WAASM), a quality assurance program aimed at the ongoing improvement of surgical care, was released today. This is the tenth year since WAASM was established.

Surgeons warn of looming workforce crisis (PDF 73 KB)
Friday 7 October 2011

Access to world class surgical care in Australia is threatened by a looming workforce shortage, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has warned. Unless there is a substantial increase in the number of graduating surgeons, Australia faces a surgical workforce crisis within the next fifteen years.

College of Surgeons announces $1.3 million in Research Scholarship Awards (PDF 67 KB)
22 September 2011

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to surgical research, through its annual Research Scholarships program.

Tackling non-melanoma skin cancer in New Zealand (PDF 83 KB)
15 September 2011

The high and increasing incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers poses an immediate and ongoing challenge to the New Zealand health sector, a study in the latest issue of the ANZ Journal of Surgery has found.

Surgeons call for tighter regulation of quad bikes (PDF 57 KB)
14 September 2011

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has called for the tighter regulation of quad bikes, citing the seriousness and frequency of injuries sustained by riders.

Ear, Nose and Throat clinical visit to Tuvalu (PDF 91 KB)
2 September 2011

An Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) team will visit Tuvalu for a week in September as part of the Pacific Islands Program. The Program, co-ordinated by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and funded by AusAID, provides a range of volunteer services in the region.

Fatigue and surgical performance (PDF 83 KB)
15 August 2011

While the issue of safe working hours for surgeons has attracted considerable attention in recent years, a study in the latest issue of the ANZ Journal of Surgery finds there is insufficient evidence to gauge the effect of fatigue on surgical performance.

Concern over potential loss of training (PDF 67 KB)
11 August 2011

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has expressed concern over reports that the proposed elective surgery unit at the North Shore Hospital in Takapuna will operate with specialist medical staff only.

Oncologist joins PIP team in Fiji (PDF 76 KB)
26 July 2011

Oncologist Professor Michael Sullivan will join the Pacific Islands Program team in Fiji in late July. The Program, co-ordinated by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and funded by AusAID, provides a range of paediatric services in the region that includes surgery, endocrinology, nephrology and oncology.

Teaching the teachers - sustaining the surgical educator workforce (PDF 59 KB)
28 June 2011

The viability of surgical education in Australia and New Zealand depends on ensuring surgeons wanting to teach have designated time and are properly recognised and equipped for the task, a study in the latest issue of the ANZ Journal of Surgery reveals.

The Victorian Audit of Surgical Mortality - an ongoing commitment to improved care (PDF 82 KB)
28 June 2011

The 2010 report of the Victorian Audit of Surgical Mortality (VASM), a quality assurance programme aimed at the ongoing improvement of surgical care, was released today.

Treating the victims of shark attack - learning from experience (PDF 101 KB)
30 May 2011

Recent advances in the management of major trauma have cast new light on the treatment of shark attack victims, according to a study in the latest issue of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery.

The future of craniofacial plastic surgery in Sri Lanka (PDF 67 KB)
6 May 2011

With the ongoing assistance of Interplast Australia & New Zealand and its teams of volunteer surgeons, an advanced craniofacial surgery service in Sri Lanka could soon be a reality, delegates to the 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told.

Surgical anatomy course proves popular with junior surgeons (PDF 87 KB)
6 May 2011

As controversy reigns over the quality of anatomy teaching in undergraduate medical courses, a postgraduate diploma course in surgical anatomy offered by the University of Otago is proving a great success.

Soldier, Rhodes Scholar, pioneering neurosurgeon - the remarkable life of Hugh Cairns (PDF 90 KB)
6 May 2011

Delegates to the 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told of the extraordinary life of Hugh Cairns, an Australian pioneer in the field of neurosurgery.

Greater support for smaller metropolitan and regional hospitals needed (PDF 63 KB)
6 May 2011

Delegates to the Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that smaller metropolitan and regional hospitals must be adequately funded to allow surgeons to provide up-to-date procedures for common surgical conditions, including newer laparoscopic and other minimally-invasive techniques.

Preparing for the tsunami of medical graduates (PDF 49 KB)
6 May 2011

Delegates to the 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told of a variety of strategies to cope with the coming tsunami of young doctors graduating from Australian and New Zealand medical schools.

Burns bacteriology in a tropical ICU setting (PDF 75 KB)
5 May 2011

The burns centres of hospitals in hot and humid climates fight a constant battle against wound infection, delegates to the 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told.

Infra-Red Thermographic Imaging in the Serial Assessment of Burns (PDF 57 KB)
5 May 2011

Delegates to the 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that infra-red thermographic imaging is a promising tool in the serial assessment of burn wounds.

Developing the National Trauma Registry (PDF 83 KB)
4 May 2011

After a long battle, efforts to establish a National Trauma Registry seem likely to prove successful, delegates to the 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told.

Removing the gallbladder of patients over eighty: predictors of morbidity and mortality (PDF 39 KB)
4 May 2011

Delegates to the 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that the laparoscopic removal of the gallbladder can be performed with acceptable risk in appropriately selected patients over the age of 80.

Road safety: The Australian contribution (PDF 71 KB)
4 May 2011

Delegates to the 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that while Australia has led the way in the fight against road trauma, more still needs to be done.

Safely converting an adjustable gastric band to sleeve gastrectomy (PDF 79 KB)
4 May 2011

A bariatric surgeon has told delegates to the 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons that there is a proven technique for the conversion of a laparoscopic gastric band to sleeve gastrectomy.

The Acute Surgical Unit - an effective model of care for patients with acute cholecystitis (PDF 99 KB)
4 May 2011

Delegates to the 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that an Acute Surgical Unit (ASU) is proving a very effective model of care for patients presenting with acute cholecystitis, or acute inflammation of the gallbladder.

Ensuring surgeons can respond to major disasters (PDF 68 KB)
3 May 2011

The readiness of Australian and New Zealand surgeons to respond to major disasters in our region has been the focus of a forum conducted by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Adelaide today.

Assessing the safety of laparoscopic colorectal surgery in a low-volume setting (PDF 81 KB)
3 May 2011

While laparoscopic treatment of colorectal pathologies is becoming the preferred approach amongst experienced surgeons with high-volume caseloads, delegates to the 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told there is little data available on advanced laparoscopic surgeons who perform a low-volume (<10 cases per year) of colorectal procedures.

Ultrasound usage embraced by breast surgeons (PDF 98 KB)
3 May 2011

Delegates to the 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons have been told that surgeon performed ultrasound is being increasingly embraced by breast surgeons worldwide as an integral part of patient assessment.  

Laparoscopic surgery and the treatment of rectal cancer (PDF 77 KB)
19 April 2011

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery has been widely embraced by Australasian surgeons and may lead to less pain, faster recovery and better cosmesis for patients, but several concerns need to be addressed before its use is routinely adopted for all procedures, according to an article in the latest issue of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery.

Adelaide to host surgeons' Annual Scientific Congress (PDF 56 KB)
8 April 2011

The 80th Annual Scientific Congress (ASC) of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons will be convened in Adelaide this year, attracting up to 2,000 delegates from across Australia and New Zealand and featuring distinguished visiting lecturers from around the world.

Parties endorse surgeons' stand on health issues (PDF 89 KB)
23 March 2011

The New South Wales Regional Committee of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has welcomed commitments by both major political parties to several key initiatives proposed by surgeons in that state.

Child motorcycle injuries on the increase (PDF 45 KB)
16 March 2011

The average age of children injured in New Zealand motorbike and all-terrain vehicle accidents over the past decade was 10.5 years, with the youngest patient being just two years old. This is despite the minimum age for obtaining a license in New Zealand being 15 years.

Deputy Premier opens new base for WA surgeons (PDF 56 KB)
14 March 2011

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health, the Hon. Dr Kim Hames, has formally opened the new home of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Western Australia. The building, in Hampden Road, Nedlands, will also serve as the base for the Australian Orthopaedic Association and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Surgeons condemn Federal Government's decision to ignore pedestrian safety (PDF 78 KB)
28 February 2011

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has joined motoring groups in condemning the Federal Government's decision to close down a consultation process aimed at enhancing the safety of Australian pedestrians.

Reviewing treatments for age-related lines and wrinkles (PDF 90 KB)
23 February 2011

A team of Australian surgeons and scientists has reviewed the efficacy of dermal fillers in rapid aesthetic improvement, concluding that injectable fillers are more effective and safer than other facial augmentation techniques for the management of age-related lines and wrinkles.

College of Surgeons to quiz major political parties on public health policy (PDF 68 KB)
16 February 2011

In the lead up to the 26 March state election, New South Wales surgeons have written to the major political parties asking key questions relating to a number of public health issues, including improvements to elective and emergency surgery, the training of junior doctors, access to bariatric surgery, and the enhanced resourcing of trauma care.

Latest health reforms a mixed blessing (PDF 53 KB)
11 February 2011

The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons has described the Australian Government's latest package of health reforms as a mixed blessing, welcoming some of the proposed changes but criticising others.

View the 2010 media releases.