A Launceston surgeon has been appointed president of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
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John Batten is an orthopaedic surgeon at the Launceston General Hospital and a senior lecturer at the University of Tasmania.
Mr Batten is the first Tasmanian to be appointed president of the college.
The 65-year-old has been a councillor with the college since 2010.
Being elected as the college’s 47th president last week was a “great honour”, Mr Batten said.
Mr Batten is originally from Melbourne, and first came to Launceston as a LGH registrar as part of his advanced training in orthopaedics.
“I really enjoyed that post, and as a result my wife and I returned,” he said.
Mr Batten moved back to work as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon with the LGH in 1985, and has worked with the hospital since.
“My wife is a specialist as well … the pace of life is just a little bit different [here],” Mr Batten said.
“In order to live a life of two specialist doctors and bring up a family and enjoy a lifestyle, I elected to come back to Launceston,” Mr Batten said.
He said the high quality of orthopaedic practice at the LGH during his traineeship contributed to his move.
Mr Batten said he chose orthopaedics as he liked “dealing with mechanical things”.
“In my personal life, I’ve got a car collection … so I have an interest in things mechanical,” he said.
“It just suits the way my mind works and what I enjoy.”
Mr Batten also had a private practice for more than 30 years, but closed it late last year due to his other commitments.
He said continuing the college’s work in addressing bullying and harassment among surgical professionals would be a top priority.
“To regain the trust of the public [is a priority] ... we’re trying very hard to change this culture that’s been around for too long,” Mr Batten said.
He said upholding high surgical practice standards was also important to improve access to care for patients.
Maintaining quality training for surgeons in their specialties was also a priority, he said.
Advocating to politicians for issues including patient access and good training was also on the agenda, he said.
Mr Batten was elected to the role of the 47th college president by the RACS council on Thursday. He will officially take over from incumbent president Phil Truskett on Thursday, May 11 at the RACS general meeting in Adelaide. He currently holds the RACS Censor in Chief role, and has overarching responsibility for the education and training of fellows.
