The Banner for COVID-19
The College’s highest priority is to ensure the health and safety of our members, staff and patients. Radiologists and radiation oncologists are a precious health resource and will be critical in fighting the epidemic and supporting the health system. The College will support governments’ containment efforts in minimising the spread and flattening the disease curve over time.
This page contains further advice and information for members about the impact of COVID-19 on CPD, education and training, events and other College activities.
Education and Training: Guidelines for decision-making | Update on the release of exam resultsCPD: Advice from the MCNZ | Advice from the MBA | What does this mean for members?Events: Annual Scientific Meeting
Last updated: Tuesday 3 November 2020
RANZCR exams for clinical radiology and radiation oncology trainees have commenced under a revised timetable and format following a necessary postponement due to COVID-19 restrictions.
RANZCR understands that trainees will be affected by the changes to the examination timetable. Our intention has always been to support our trainees to progress their careers, holding exams this year, with the safety of all examination participants at the forefront of decision making.
All candidates have been advised that due to the revised examination timetable, examination results will not be available until mid-January. This is due to the higher than usual number of candidates. The delay in the release of examination results will impact on the processing of Fellowship applications for those who have successfully completed all components of training. Applications for Fellowship will be processed as expeditiously as possible after they are received with Fellowship letters expected to be sent out by the end of February.
RANZCR acknowledges that the timing may impact some graduates’ placements and other future workplace arrangements. We ask that employers be mindful of these impacts and grant as much flexibility as possible to our graduates in these circumstances.
Last updated: Monday 8 December 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many facets of the RANZCR's training programs and is expected to continue to do so for some time.
This document sets out the overarching priorities, principles and strategies, as at Monday, 30 March 2020, to guide decision-making on training and accreditation, assessments, examinations and other training activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in its aftermath.
The College will regularly review and revise these guidelines , particularly the stipulated timeframes, in line with government advice and the status of the COVID-19 situation in our region.
In developing this guidance, RANZCR has sought to:
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, both the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) and the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) have acknowledged that that COVID-19 work will impact on the ability of all doctors to maintain CPD requirements in the coming months:
The MBA released an update to Australian members on 30 March 2020.
The MBA acknowledged that COVID-19 work will impact on the ability of all doctors to maintain CPD requirements in the coming months. They have decided to not take action if you cannot meet the CPD registration standard when you renew your medical registration this year.
As we move into 2021, the MBA will keep a close watch on the situation to determine whether the 2021 renewal year is affected. The College will work with the MBA on a strategy to resume CPD requirements and associated audit activity.
Read the full update
MCNZ shared an update to all practising doctors in New Zealand on 26 March 2020.
The MCNZ acknowledged that COVID-19 work will impact on the ability of all doctors to fully meet the recertification programme requirements in the coming months. They have decided to exempt all General and vocationally-registered doctors from recertification programme requirements until 28 February 2021.
Similarly, doctors with general or vocational registration who returned to practice from 25 March 2020, will not be required to enrol in the Inpractice or College programme until that date.
MCNZ staff will not be auditing doctors for compliance with recertification programmes over the coming 11 months, but will expect doctors to be enrolled and actively participating in their required programmes from 1 March 2021. As we move closer to 28 February 2021, the College will work with MCNZ on a strategy to resume recertification programmes and associated audit activity.
The College will support members by applying the following reduced CPD program requirements. The reduced requirements are in line with those previously communicated by the MCNZ. The College will work closely with the MBA to ensure members are supported during this period. The College’s current CPD program operates on a triennium basis, with 2020 being the middle year of the 2019-2021 triennium.
The College will not be conducting its annual compliance audit on CPD for 2020.
Revised RANZCR CPD Requirement
Summary
Whilst we recognise there is disruption or cancellation of many educational events scheduled in 2020, we encourage members that if you are undertaking any type of CPD activities, you are still able to log these in the learning portal and they will still count toward your triennium total.
Some examples include web-based learning, participation in clinical meetings, teaching, journal reading and research, to name a few.
RANZCR audits compliance of CPD on a calendar year basis as well as on a triennium basis. We are in the final stage of compliance checking for CPD completed during the 2019 calendar year and are currently contacting members to assist with this process. We understand this is a busy time for members and College staff can assist this process by inputting documentation on behalf of members.
If you have any questions about CPD or are experience any difficulties with your CPD, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Last updated 8 May 2020
The 2020 RANZCR Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) was scheduled to run from 15-18 October at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. Based on guidelines provided by the government, the College's COVID-19 Taskforce’s recommendations and in consultation with the ASM Convenors, the College Board has made the difficult decision to postpone the RANZCR 2020 ASM.
This has been done bearing in mind that social distancing restrictions may continue well into the end of 2020 with strict restrictions on international travel as well as mass gatherings. The College is also aware that a surge of patients is expected at health facilities from those patients who have delayed seeking treatment during the quarantine period and this may impact on our members and their ability to take leave and join the ASM.
Information for those who submitted abstracts: