Hospital Training Post Accreditation
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgical Education and Training (SET) in Aotearoa New Zealand is carried out at accredited training hospitals across Aotearoa New Zealand. To become an accredited training unit, the unit must undergo strict accreditation inspection and reviews. The New Zealand Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (the Board) conducts hospital training post (HTP) accreditation in line with RACS’s Training Post Accreditation and Administration Regulation.
RACS manages the HTP process on behalf of the Board. Applications for new training units, or additional training posts at existing training units, are made in accordance with the RACS Process and Criteria for Accreditation of Hospitals and Posts for SET. The Application for Accreditation Form can be downloaded for all RACS supported posts, and emailed to gloria.aumaivao-tasi@surgeons.org.
On receipt of an application, the Board will establish an accreditation team to review the application and undertake an inspection of the unit, which will result in a Board report for consideration at a scheduled Board meeting.
The usual period of accreditation is 5 years. Every training unit must undergo a full accreditation inspection, using the RACS Accreditation of Hospitals and Posts for Surgical Education and Training process and criteria booklet.
The NZBPRS monitors the performance of posts throughout the period of accreditation by a review of Trainee assessments, complaints, and Supervisor feedback. The Board may at any time, conduct an out of cycle review of an accredited training post if there is a matter of concern.
This process is available to any person, organization, or body corporate directly affected by an adverse decision made in relation to the training and education functions of the College.
Where applicable, and after meeting the requirements set out in the Reconsideration, Review, and Appeals Policy (RRA Policy), applicants can have an adverse decision reassessed according to RACS RRA Policy. Information about the process is available here.
