ACT quarterly updates

March 2025

Welcome to our new trainees

In February we welcomed nine new trainees onto the ACT anaesthesia training program, including our first trainee from the South-West NSW regional training scheme. The trainees enjoyed a fantastic five-day orientation program including simulation sessions (eg. ALS), hands-on obstetric and regional anaesthesia training and various sessions on pain management, communication, exam preparation and general hospital-focused orientation. As always, the feedback was really positive. Thank you to the many ACT fellows who put time and effort into the orientation week program – it really is an exceptional introduction to training in the ACT.

ACT Trainee Committee

The first meeting of the 2025 ACT Trainee Committee was held on 5 February where we welcomed new members Dr A’ishah Bhadelia and Dr Achini Weeraratne to the committee. We also welcomed our new Chair and Deputy Chair, Dr Stephanie Jones and Dr Samantha Lambe respectively, and thank outgoing Chair Dr Cristy Rowe for her tireless efforts running the committee in 2024. Looking forward to a great year ahead. 

Accreditation update

National Capital Private Hospital has been formally approved as a satellite site for The Canberra Hospital. The TAC team will be conducting visits to The Canberra Hospital, North Canberra Hospital, Calvary John James Hospital and Calvary Bruce Private Hospital in May this year as part of the five-year review for all sites. 

Beyond City Limits

The ANZCA Communications team visited Canberra at the end of last year and met with many key ACT personnel to prepare a Beyond City Limits feature for the ANZCA Bulletin. Keep your eyes out for the Autumn edition as we showcase our city and training program.

Emerging Leaders Conference

The ACT received three applications from eligible new fellows to attend the 2025 Emerging Leaders Conference. We congratulate Dr Julia Hoy who was nominated by the ACT Regional Committee as the preferred applicant and wish Dr Hoy all the best in Port Douglas in April/May.

Death of fellow

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Kwai Tung ‘Keith’ Chan, a pain specialist and rehabilitation specialist, in January 2025. Keith has been working for a long time in Canberra and served our community with passion and dedication.

Upcoming events

The ASA National Scientific Congress will be held in Canberra this year from 2-5 October. We look forward to working with the ASA to host this wonderful event. On account of the NSC, the annual Art of Anaesthesia meeting will not be held in Canberra this year but will be back in 2026.