Canberra's public health system has paused the placement of doctors training to become cardiologists at North Canberra Hospital, citing critical staff shortages within its heart unit. The hospital, however, maintains its official accreditation to train these specialists until 2027.
Accreditation Stands Despite Training Pause
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) accredits both major Canberra hospitals to train future heart specialists. Canberra Hospital is approved for up to four cardiologists in training, while North Canberra Hospital can host one. Trainees typically spend a three-month rotation at North Canberra Hospital as part of their three-year program.
A spokesperson for Canberra Health Services (CHS), which runs the hospitals, confirmed that no accredited trainee was sent to North Canberra Hospital for the final quarter of 2025. This decision was made to ensure patient safety and training quality amid a shortage of supervising senior cardiologists.
Root Cause: A Vacant Cardiology Unit
The issue stems from a staffing crisis that hit the North Canberra Hospital cardiology unit in mid-2025. A series of resignations and suspensions left the unit without any full-time cardiologists to supervise trainees. While some staff have since returned, the unit currently operates with two vacancies.
In response to CHS's notification about suspending the trainee rotation, the RACP has placed conditions on the overall training program. Canberra Hospital's accreditation is secure until 2031, provided it formalises its education program and does not resume rotations to North Canberra Hospital until adequate supervision is restored.
"These imposed conditions will not impact our accredited trainees or the service," the CHS spokesperson stated. They emphasised that unaccredited registrars continue to work at the hospital and that "service delivery continues as normal" for patients.
Path Forward and Recruitment Efforts
CHS reports that all accredited cardiology training positions across the network are currently filled. Three trainees completed rotations at North Canberra Hospital earlier in 2025 before the pause. The health service is actively recruiting to fill the two consultant cardiologist vacancies.
New doctors have been recruited and are scheduled to start in January and February 2026. Canberra Health Services expects the valuable trainee rotations to North Canberra Hospital to resume once these senior staff members are in place and providing appropriate supervision.
The situation highlights the ongoing pressures on specialist medical staffing in the ACT's public health system, even as the infrastructure and accreditation for high-level training remain intact.
