About Us: Strategic Plan 2003 - 2007
The Austin and Northern Hospital Department of Surgery Strategic Plan 2003-2007 has been developed in the context of the Melbourne Agenda and the Operational Plan of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences.
The Department will identify and define its strategic and operational priorities for 2003-2007 in relation to the areas of commitment of the University as a whole.
- Quality People
- Quality Research
- Quality Teaching and Learning
- Quality Clinical Performance
- Quality Management
- Quality Infrastructure
Vision
Our vision is that of a University Department of Surgery at Austin Hospital that has achieved national and international reputation for excellence in research, teaching and innovative clinical activities.
Mission
We will achieve excellence by attracting and retaining the highest quality staff and students, and fostering strong links with other similar institutions at both a national and international level.
Guiding Principles
The Melbourne University Department of Surgery at Austin Hospital:
- is committed to being international in its overall outlook, world class in achievement and distinctive in character;
- is committed to developing a profile and reputation for excellence in research, teaching and clinical activities within the university and parent hospital, the surgical fraternity and the community in general;
- will ensure that all academic staff have a strong interest in research, with ongoing research programs and supervision of postgraduate students. In addition, the staff will have a strong motivation to the teaching of undergraduate students and postgraduate surgical trainees in surgical principles and clinical skills in surgery;
- will develop strong links and show leadership in the education programs, clinical governance and surgical clinical activities with the parent hospital (Austin) and associated hospital groups;
- will support a diverse and culturally rich environment that is critically engaging and with a capacity to develop all staff and students to their full potential;
- will develop an ethos of working in harmony, recognising differences and maintaining integrity whilst integrating the academic disciplines into a cohesive direction with clear responsibilities at all levels;
- will ensure its capacity to succeed through a commitment to strategic planning, growth and financial security with adequate resourcing to meet its goals;
- will provide administrative support and structures that reflect its direction and commitment, providing security to staff together with clear lines of responsibility
Goals, Stratergies and Targets 2003-2007
Quality People
top of pageGoal:
To strengthen the Department of Surgery as a preferred destination for outstanding staff and students from Victoria, Australia and international centers.
Strategies:
- Attract eminent researchers and surgeon/scientists to the Department.
- Obtain external funding to appoint outstanding academics to the Department and to increase the size, infrastructure and range of activities of the Department.
- Develop student and Fellowship exchange programs with other international and national centres.
Quality Research
top of pageGoal:
To enhance the reputation and activities of the Department of Surgery as a leading institution in world class quality research and research training.
Strategies:
- Increase the Department infrastructure to enable enhanced research productivity, with commitment to the Austin Biomedical Alliance and construction of the new research facility at Austin.
- Increase the research profile of the Department by encouraging active participation by all staff in submitting grant applications, increasing the number and quality of publications and presentations at scientific meetings.
- Develop a mentorship program which maximises achievement in grant success, publications and other markers of track record.
- Increase the profile of surgical research within the Department by attracting researchers and surgeons/scientists of the highest caliber.
- Encourage students to undertake research training in the department.
- Expand the fields of research currently present in the Department to achieve international recognition. Specific areas of research include Hepatobiliary and pancreatic oncology, Gastrointestinal peptides and Transplantation.
- Increase multidisciplinary collaboration in research projects with other departments and institutions, locally, nationally and internationally.
- Seek increased funding by:
- improving the success rate in NHMRC, Victorian Cancer Council and other competitive grant applications
- encouraging funding from industry
- encourage increased funding from charitable trusts.
Quality Teaching and Learning
top of pageGoal:
To create and maintain an outstanding learning environment for medical undergraduate students, postgraduate research students, advanced surgical trainees and fellows and academic staff of the Department of Surgery.
Strategies:
- Develop a strong association with the Clinical Dean’s Department, the Faculty Education Unit, Austin, Northern and associated hospitals leading to active participation in undergraduate curriculum and examination processes and post graduate education.
- Continue the development of clinical skills facilities.
- Develop and implement IT based facilities to improve the teaching process.
- Encourage all teaching staff to undertake teaching training programs (higher diplomas, certificates etc) to improve teaching skills.
- Develop and maintain post graduate programs for research (Honours, PhD and Masters).
- Develop a comprehensive program for basic and advanced surgical trainees to reflect the surgical training curriculum of the RACS.
- Develop a symposium program of meetings and workshops aimed at state and national audiences
Quality Clinical Performance
top of pageGoal:
To establish and maintain a reputation of excellence in the field of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery and Transplantation at a national and international level
Strategies:
- Attract highly skilled staff in the field of hepatobiliary, pancreatic and transplant (HPBT) surgery to maintain the highest possible standards of patient care.
- Establish a comprehensive database to record and assess the efficacy of specific surgical techniques and patient treatment protocols.
- Seek funding to develop and assess innovative techniques in HPBT surgery through close cooperation with the hospital, state and federal government initiatives in new technology.
- Develop a close relationship with the parent and associated hospitals by:
- encouraging dual hospital and university appointments, honorary appointments for hospital staff
- active participation in hospital teaching, research, clinical governance and operational activities
- provide encouragement and infrastructure support for hospital staff research activities.
- Develop closer links with rural Victorian hospitals.
- Encourage a close relationship with the DHS to provide input into health policy specific to the Department’s interests.
- Develop strong links with national and international centres in clinical research collaboration and fellowship exchange programs and to host international visitors.
Quality Management
top of pageGoal:
To achieve and maintain continuous quality improvement in the academic and executive management of the Department.
Strategies:
- Comply with all statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Develop and participate in “benchmarking” activities with other comparable national and international institutions.
- Encourage the participation of senior academic staff and management staff in leadership and developmental programs of the university.
- Establish a departmental organisational profile with clear guidelines of job responsibilities and supervision.
- Increase the administrative infrastructure and implement possible restructuring of staff to changing departmental activities.
- Ensure that staff performance development framework is fully implemented.
- Ensure fiscal responsibility to maintain healthy financial viability of the Department.
- Ensure a safe, friendly and supportive work environment for all staff.
Quality Infrastructure
top of pageGoal:
Ensure that the buildings and equipment are appropriate to achieve the aims of the department in education, research and clinical activities.
Strategies:
- Increase the departmental infrastructure to enable enhanced research productivity.
- Have a strong input and commitment to the Austin Biomedical Alliance and construction of the new research facility at Austin.
- Implement IT based facilities to improve the teaching process.
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive departmental web site.