The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) welcomed 224 new fellows as specialist GPs at a fellowship ceremony in New South Wales on Saturday 17 August.
Fellowship of the RACGP (FRACGP) reflects a doctor's qualification and expertise as a specialist GP, following around 11 years of education, training, rigorous assessment, and experience in primary care.
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins congratulated the 224 new fellows, including five Rural Generalists and one fellow in Advanced Rural General Practice.
"Australia needs specialist GPs more than ever. As the peak GP body responsible for training 90% of Australia's general practitioners, the RACGP is delivering," she said.
"I congratulate our 224 new fellows in New South Wales and wish them all the best in their careers caring for communities across the country.
"There is no substitute for the quality care you get from a GP who knows you, and your health history.
"Being a GP is one of the most rewarding and challenging jobs. GPs play a central role in their community and get the privilege of getting to know their patients over the years. GPs not only help patients when they're sick, they help them stay well and see them grow – there's nothing quite like it."
RACGP NSW&ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman joined Dr Higgins in welcoming the new specialist GPs.
"GPs are essential for the health and wellbeing of every community in New South Wales, from the big cities to the most remote parts of our state," she said.
"The RACGP represents four-in-five rural doctors, and we're working to grow NSW's rural GP workforce through our training placements, including Rural Generalist placements.
"We are getting more GPs into communities, but we can grow the workforce much faster with government support.
"Incentives work – there was a big increase in the number of GPs training in Victoria after their government offered an incentive of up to $40,000 for doctors to train as GPs.
"We're calling for the NSW Government to provide a similar incentive. This investment will get more GPs training across New South Wales and bring immediate benefits for their communities."
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