Media Response — Insight Ophthalmic News

The Australian Society of Ophthalmologists (ASO) is strongly opposed to the emerging indications that Government intends to remove the vital, longstanding, and proven role of Medical Colleges in maintaining high — and most importantly — safe standards of specialist education and training.

In November 2023, the ASO wrote to the Minister for Health, Hon Mark Butler MP, to express its concerns and advocate against recommendations from the International Review of Overseas Trained Medical Practitioners (Kruk Review).

This also included addressing concerns regarding other recent Ministerial recommendations that aim to take greater control of Medical Colleges and their role assessing international graduates and training post accreditation. 

The ASO has received no response to this letter of grave concern.

It is the understanding of the ASO that the Federal Government has since accepted recommendations from the Kruk Review, but there has been little discussion or engagement around what shape this may take.

The Medical Board of Australia will host the first meeting of the Specialist IMG Pathways Review Advisory Group on Monday, 22 April 2024.

ASO President, Dr Peter Sumich, eagerly awaits this roundtable meeting and the opportunity to learn more in detail about any changes being proposed to vetting and approving overseas-trained medical professionals.