The Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has today welcomed more than 105 new fellows as specialist GPs at a fellowship ceremony in Brisbane.
They shared the spotlight with four award recipients who have shown dedication to patient care in their community. 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. Multiple surveys show nine in 10 participants in the Australian General Practice Training program (AGPT), which is funded by the Federal Government, are satisfied with the quality of overall training.
RACGP President and Mackay-based GP, Dr Nicole Higgins, congratulated the new fellows.
"Australia needs specialist GPs more than ever. As the peak GP body responsible for training 90% of GPs, we're working hard and delivering for communities across Australia," she said.
"Recent incentives to support GPs to train in rural Queensland have helped boost GP numbers in areas that need it most. Research shows GPs who train in a rural community are far more likely to work there – so this is growing our future rural GP workforce.
"Following today's ceremony, 105 new GPs are ready to care for people in their community. There is no substitute for the quality care provided by a GP who knows you and your history. So, it's vital governments and regulators do everything possible to back them to succeed. We are the engine room of the health system, keeping our patients healthy and out of hospital. Every year more than 4.6 million Queenslanders - more than 83% of the state's population - choose to see a GP for their essential health care. I congratulate our 105 new fellows in Queensland and wish them all the best in their careers."
RACGP Queensland Chair, Dr Cathryn Hester, joined Dr Higgins in welcoming the new specialist GPs.
"I'm pleased to welcome an additional 105 GPs who will provide invaluable care to patients, from big cities to regional and remote parts of the state," she said.
"Being a GP is such a rewarding job, every day is an opportunity to have a positive impact on the wellbeing of your community. We've had great success bringing GPs in training to rural and remote areas where they are needed most, and this will help to boost our rural GP workforce in Queensland."
The fellowship ceremony also celebrated the achievements of four inspiring members of the GP community, including Dr Anne-Maree Nielson – a proud Wakka Wakka woman of the South Burnett region honoured with the Queensland General Practitioner in Training of the Year award. Dr Nielson began her university studies as a young mother. For well over a decade, she has dedicated her career to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare in the capacities as a researcher, registered nurse, and now a doctor.
The Queensland GP of the Year award went to Brisbane GP Dr Isobel Walker. Dr Walker, who has been recognised for her outstanding work as a primary supervisor of GPs in training, said she was particularly proud of her work caring for patients with complex health issues.
"A key part of the treatment I provide to my patients is not just about guidelines and diagnosis, it's the empathy we bring, and the connection we create with our patients."
The Queensland General Practice of the Year award went to Growlife Medical, a practice that has put its vision into action for a better collaborative and multidisciplinary general practice model. Growlife Medical GP, Dr Aaron Chambers, welcomed the award.
"General practice is a team sport, and it is just so rewarding to work with a team who have a shared vision and a culture that is all about patient care, and thinking outside our clinic walls to focus on delivering for our local community," he said.
The Queensland GP Supervisor of the Year award went to Dr Lisa Fraser – a Gordonvale-based GP who has demonstrated knowledge, care and commitment to GP registrars.
"To all new fellows, my message is that you are all now supervisors, and I encourage you to formalise the supervisory skills you already have by participating as a recognised secondary supervisor by the College and not wait until you think you are ready," she said.
"You are already ready, and we need new supervisors more than ever. Training is changing, it evolves every year, and new supervisors have knowledge and experience that is more recent."
Also, in attendance were members of the RACGP Queensland Faculty Council, and members of the RACGP Senior Executive.
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