Mid-way through 2025 and VGMTP continues to provide highly regarded geriatric medicine training to Advanced Trainees and Nurse Practitioners. Attendance at our fortnightly sessions remains high with an average of 110 trainees registering for each session.

The ATs provided feedback about the program via small group discussions and a survey. The overall feedback remains excellent with ATs noting the supportive environment and comprehensive program offered. AT feedback about the spread of topics was discussed and will form part of our approach to developing the 2026 program.

In 2025, a more comprehensive program of Nurse Practitioner Discussion groups is planned with support from all the Directors of Training. In addition, the Department of Health has promoted VGMTP for RIR Nurse Practitioners.

VGMTP is grateful for funding from the Victorian Department of Health for a trial to establish a regionally based training alliance. This will be called the Greater Victorian Alliance (GVA). A call for applications for the new Director of Training for the GVA has now been sent out. VGMTP aims to recruit to this position ASAP.

Advanced Trainee

Registration at training sessions remains high. Feedback about the training program is positive. VGMTP will continue to review and modify its program in response to feedback to ensure trainees receive the best possible training.

The FIGMS have been using Slido to facilitate questions and discussion in sessions and presented a business case for a paid subscription. VGMTP will subscribe for 12 months and review ongoing use in 2026.

Communication Skills

The changes to the notification of Communication skills sessions has streamlined attendance at sessions. ATs continue to value these sessions highly.

A professional development day for facilitators and actors will be arranged later in the year to continue to support and develop this important component of VGMTP.

Nurse Practitioners

A more comprehensive program has been planned for 2025 with support from all FIGMS and DOTs. 7 sessions are planned throughout the year with facilitation by different VGMTP staff.

Greater Victorian Alliance

Several discussions between VGMTP and non-metro Directors of Aged Care have been held to progress the establishment of the GVA. Our first step will be recruitment of a Director of Training and a call for applications has now been circulated.

Recruitment

BOS discussed the 3 pathways for recruitment into Geriatric Medicine advanced training for 2026:

• PMCV match
• Regional Training Partnership positions which can be filled prior to the central match
• PT/Job share positions which are negotiated directly with Health Services

FIGM recruitment was discussed and VGMTP will aim to identify potential future FIGMS at the end of AT1 to give potential candidates time to consider this option for their training.

Future Directions

VGMTP will form a curriculum sub-committee to plan the delivery of lectures/topics for 2026.

Our next Board of Studies meeting will be on 9^th October, 2025.