The third cancellation of a psychiatry qualification exam could see a shortage of practitioners in the already stretched mental health system.

National Association of Practising Psychiatrists President Dr Philip Morris told Deborah Knight a “major” oversight saw the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists fail to give adequate time and preparation to take the exam online.

“[Psychiatrists] are very, very well trained physicians, but of course it takes a long time to train them.

“Anything that holds up the training is going to limit the number of people coming through to serve the community.

“The cause [of the cancellation] on this occasion was a tragedy, it was monumental failure in the audio-visual platform for the examination.”

When asked by what the “plan D” is for the new trainees, Dr Morris explained there isn’t one, instead calling on the college to pass students based on past assessments and their career progress so far.

“They shouldn’t be asked to do the exam again … let’s put this behind us.”

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