Inside News

37 / 64

Clinical Radiology
Volume 12 No 2 I March 2016 37
A Message
from the Dean
We are at a key juncture in clinical
radiology. A number of initiatives are
being driven by external bodies and
these are likely to exert significant
influence upon our future. In Australia,
major arenas of engagement with
government include the Medical
Benefits Scheme (MBS) reform process
and consultation around implementation
of the Quality Framework. In New
Zealand, Choosing Wisely and
telehealth issues will be important, and
in both countries the development
and adoption of appropriate imaging
guidelines to support our referring
colleagues will become increasingly
important. Other College projects
include ongoing improvement of
systems, processes and policies in the
area of education, assessment and
training as well as implementation of the
recent governance review undertaken
to improve relevance and efficiency of
activities being undertaken by various
bodies within the Faculty of Clinical
Radiology.
The Faculty Council met in February to
assess the overall landscape, discuss
key risks and opportunities, and plan
the year’s activities within the Faculty.
I was impressed to see the depth and
range of activities planned by standing
committees within the Faculty. All such
activities are important to delivering the
College’s Strategic Plan to 2017. A little
more detail regarding just a few of these
topics follows.
Medicare Benefits Schedule
Review
Late 2015 and early 2016 has seen a
series of meetings by the Diagnostic
Imaging Clinical Committee and
associated working groups to review
the Diagnostic Imaging Services
Table, notably including bone mineral
density, knee imaging, pulmonary
embolism and deep vein thrombosis.
Several Fellows we nominated to MBS
Review Committees have worked
very hard to ensure that the right
outcomes for our patients emerge
from these deliberations. The Review
Taskforce also issued a consultation on
obsolete items to which the Faculty has
responded. The College’s submission
can be downloaded from the College
website
submissions.
I am pleased to say that during the MBS
review process, clinical radiologists are
being included in all key committees
that impact upon clinical radiology
services. Six more clinical committees
are in the process of being established
under the MBS review taskforce, which
the Faculty will monitor closely to ensure
appropriate advocacy for the interests of
our patients and College members.
Last but not least, along with the
Australian Medical Association and on
behalf of its members, the College has
expressed considerable displeasure
at the unilateral decision by the
government to remove the bulk billing
incentive for many Australian patients.
Prof John
Slavotinek
continued over...