Key points
- A communication and consumer engagement strategy - targeted at patients and service providers - would provide information on the rationale for the program, the skills and qualifications of specialist trainees and patients' right to informed consent, and assurance about continuous quality improvement of care delivery in expanded settings throughout the patient journey.
- A structured system for the administration and funding of expanded training arrangements for specialist trainees should be developed and implemented by 2008. However this timeframe should not prevent continuation of existing pilots or the development and funding of new projects before 2008.
- The overarching principles and suggested criteria for applications for funding proposed in this report can be used to guide implementation of the expanded training arrangements.
- The process for developing a governance and administration structure must recognise the need for involvement of all stakeholders, including consumers of health care, from the earliest stage.
- The implementation of each expanded training arrangement will also need to take into consideration the individual circumstances and requirements of the health care system within each state and territory.