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Clinical Radiology
40 Inside News
this is a good forum to network and get
a better understanding of the processes
around training and assessments
and maintaining of accreditation
requirements. You can register your
attendance through
Specialist Training Program
The Australian Department of Health’s
initiative, the Specialist Training Program
(STP) is currently being reviewed. Many
training departments will be familiar
with the STP program but as a brief
reminder, it provides support to enable
medical specialist trainees to rotate
through an expanded range of settings
beyond traditional public teaching
hospitals, in pursuit of becoming a
Fellow of a recognised specialist medical
college. The College has a number
of training positions funded through
STP in clinical radiology and radiation
oncology. Additional information related
to the program can be found on the
Department of Health website www.
nsf/Content/work-spec
Integrated Rural Training Pipeline
Recently the College received
correspondence that indicates that the
Department of Health intends to move
forward with the continuation of STP with
some reforms and a new initiative, known
as the Integrated Rural Training Pipeline
(IRTP).
IRTP is different from the traditional STP
model in that, to be eligible, training sites
must meet different criteria such as:
• These will be new training positions.
• Sites that intend to put in EOI should
be accredited for training or in the
process of being accredited.
• The funding will follow the trainee
rather than being tied to one post.
• The IRTP trainee must spend at least 75
per cent of training time in an RA2-RA5
setting.
• The post would be linked to a ‘regional
training hub’.
• The appointed IRTP trainee must have
a commitment to working in a rural
area, which could be evidenced by
having a rural background, or have
attended a rural clinical school or
regional university or demonstrated an
interest or commitment to rural work in
their application for the post.
The IRTP is planned (though not
confirmed) to commence in 2017 with
an additional 50 training positions (2017)
and 50 training positions in 2018 across
all Colleges.
The Department of Health is preparing
a submission to the Minister for Health
setting out its recommendations for the
50 IRTP positions for 2017. The College
has been working to identify suitable
sites and a workable model. This is a
great opportunity for regional sites to
consider putting in EOI as and when
they are announced. The College will
disseminate information as soon as
it becomes available. If you have any
questions please contact Pamela Taylor,
Head of Specialty Training at pamela.
or +61 2 9268 9704.
Trainee Liaison Role
Mr Chris Bartley has been appointed
as Trainee Liaison Project Officer and
will be visiting various training sites
and meeting with the trainees. This will
provide a great opportunity for trainees
to discuss matters at the coalface. Chris
has made his way down through QLD,
NSW and is currently in VIC and TAS. He
will then move around to SA, NT, WA
and NZ. Chris’ role is outlined on page
36. I am sure you will all make Chris feel
welcome in your department. Chris can
be contacted directly at chris.bartley@
if you would like to discuss
a visit with your site.
If you would like any further
information or would like
to comment on any of the
above, please contact