RickInOz

… or drink.

To continue my identification of the subtle and not-so-subtle differences between Australia and the United Kingdom, here’s a doozy: the vagaries of state versus federal administration. Australia was a groups of loosely allied colonies for over a hundred years until Federation created the nation as it is today. This legacy has left a great deal of baggage with the individual states keen to retain control of as many aspects of governance as possible. As a result the federal government has relatively few portfolios and less regional power versus the British cabinet and is mostly concerned with affairs that affect the nation as a whole (like taxation) and international policy and representation.

Getting to the point, regulation of the medical profession is no different. You might have thought that this would be considered a national matter, but not so. The “federal” body – the Australian Medical Council – only serves to accredit medical schools, specialist colleges and international graduates. It doesn’t actually register doctors at all, which came as a surprise to me given this is one of the key roles of the General Medical Council.

Instead, registration and licensing of doctors is controlled by state-based Medical Boards. Which presents the annoyance that registration in one state does not guarantee recognition elsewhere.

So, why am I telling you all of this? Some time ago I started the process to get my UK registration and qualifications recognised in Australia … by the Australian Medical Council. The purpose being that they would then endorse me for full registration with the Medical Board of my choice. Now, being so close to completion of my specialist training, I am wondering if it would be easier and quicker to just apply for full registration based on this. And here it becomes complicated as, rather than applying to the AMC, this is a state matter.

All this complication and layers of bureaucracy seem rather unnecessary and stifling. It would be far simpler if this were all co-ordinated by the one organisation. Or even better still, have the colleges plugged in as well, and then I wouldn’t have to wade through yet more paperwork and red-tape. Oh well, means to an end.