New Royal Australian College Of General Practitioners President Focuses On Health Reform And Boosting General Practice

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 02 Oct 2008 - 5:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

This evening, Dr Chris Mitchell, a GP in Northern NSW, takes up the position of President of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Dr Mitchell's presidency will begin at the close of the RACGP Academic Session held at Melbourne Town Hall as part of this week's Wonca Asia Pacific Regional Conference/RACGP Annual Scientific Convention 2008.

Dr Mitchell has worked as a rural GP for 20 years and has served as Chair of the RACGP's largest faculty - the National Rural Faculty - for the last four years. He has also served as RACGP Vice President since 2006.

"I am excited to have the opportunity to lead our college. My priorities as President are focused on our members and the college's relationship with the wider community. We need to effectively communicate to all levels of Government and the community the value of general practice and its great contribution to the health of our nation," said Dr Mitchell.

"Health is a complex issue, and I am committed to working effectively with stakeholder groups, other colleges and general practice organisations, allied health organisations, and all levels of government in pursuing health system reform.

"We can turn around general practice workforce shortages by working with the Government to reduce red tape, improve recognition of, and reward for, quality care - particularly more complex care, build skilled general practice-based teams, and ensure essential investment in general practice infrastructure.

"I am keen to build on the outstanding membership results of 2009, and I encourage all GPs to join our college.

"Being a GP is a wonderful and fulfilling career. Our medical students and new graduates need to hear this message and have the chance to experience the diversity of comprehensive general practice: urban, rural, procedural and more. We need to better promote general practice as a valued and rewarding career.

"As RACGP President, I will be working hard together with my colleagues on Council, our staff and members to see the college take a central role in shaping the future of health care in Australia," said Dr Mitchell.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is responsible for maintaining standards for quality clinical practice, education and training, and research in Australian general practice. The RACGP has the largest general practitioner membership of any medical organisation in Australia and represents the majority of Australia's general practitioners.

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners