Hospital Training Post Accreditation ◆
SET & GSET
General Surgery Trainees progress through an integrated program that provides increasing professional responsibility under appropriate supervision, enabling them to acquire necessary competencies to become consultant surgeons who are able to practise independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Hospitals wishing to explore accrediting a training post, please refer to the following information.
In 2023, the National Health Practitioner Ombudsman (NHPO) released a report containing a number of recommendations aimed at strengthening the accreditation framework across the specialist medical colleges. The report highlighted the importance of greater national consistency, increased transparency in accreditation decision-making, and improved collaboration between colleges and relevant stakeholders.
In response to these recommendations, a set of model accreditation standards and procedures has been developed at a national level for application across all medical colleges. These model standards have been approved by Health Ministers and will be progressively implemented over the coming years to promote a more consistent and streamlined approach to accreditation.
A key component of this work has been the development of standardised terminology and assessment processes to reduce variation and improve clarity. The Australian Board in General Surgery (the Board) will be working towards aligning its accreditation processes with these new national standards and procedures. This will involve reviewing and updating existing policies and processes to ensure they are consistent with the approved framework.
Further information regarding implementation timelines and specific changes will be provided as this work progresses.
More information on the NHPO Project is available by clicking here.
Changing Accreditation Standards and Procedures
Accredited Hospitals & Posts
The Australian Board in General Surgery (ABiGS) inspects hospitals for the purpose of accrediting posts for the General Surgery Training Programs (SET and GSET). Trainees are allocated to these posts during their training. Trainee allocations to accredited posts are the responsibility of the five regional training committees, in liaison with hospital administration.
A list of current accredited hospitals and posts for the SET and GSET Programs is available here:
Hospitals that would like to offer training in General Surgery must apply to the ABiGS for accreditation of one or more training positions. ABIGS assesses each training site on a range of criteria to ensure that the site is appropriately equipped to provide education and training opportunities in accordance with the curriculum and the accreditation regulations.
Criteria
For all new accreditation post applications, the hospital must provide evidence of:
- At least one consultant-supervised outpatient clinic, with new and follow-up patients per week
- It is recommended that any logbook data for the new post be captured and included in your application to assist in the review process
HOSPITAL ACCREDITATION REGULATIONS FOR GENERAL SURGERY
The Hospital Accreditation and Trainee Feedback Regulations for the Surgical Education and Training Program in General Surgery have been developed to ensure that all training sites meet the appropriate standards for delivery of the General Surgery SET / GSET programs. The Regulations in conjunction with the Accreditation of Hospitals and Posts for Surgical Education and Training Criteria & Process document outline the standards and criteria considered essential for the learning environment of General Surgery trainees.
How to Accredit a General Surgery Training Post
Accreditation Application Process
TO APPLY
To apply for accreditation, hospitals must complete an online Hospital Accreditation Application.
Access to the application is obtainable by emailing [email protected] with the following information:
- Hospital Name
- Hospital Address
- Number of posts hospital wishes to accredited
Unit Name for each post being applied for (e.g. General Surgery, Colorectal, UGI/HPB) - Contact person and email of person responsible for the application process (this will be the person who will be provided login details)
NEW TRAINING POSTS
- Applications for new training post/s accreditation to commence in Term 1 2027 are now open, with submissions due by 31 March 2026
- To apply, please contact [email protected], as above.