The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) has welcomed 61 new fellows to the general practice profession at a fellowship ceremony in the Australian Capital Territory.
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.
ACT Minister for Health, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, and Minister for Children, Youth and Families Rachel Stephen-Smith attended the ceremony, along with ACT Chief GP and Primary Care Advisor Dr Melanie Dorrington, World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) President Associate Professor Karen Flegg, RACGP leaders, and new fellows’ friends and families.
RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins led the ceremony and welcomed the newly fellowed GPs.
“There’s no substitute for a GP,” she said.
“These 61 new fellows join the profession after at least 11 years of medical study and experience in general practices, hospitals, and other parts of our health system. Fellowship of the RACGP reflects you’re ready to help your patients through any health challenge, from day-to-day issues and preventative health to working with a team of other specialists, nurses, and allied health professionals to coordinate any patient’s care. We are the first line in preventative medicine, see the most patients though mental health challenges of any profession, and work with our patients through all stages of their lives.
“GPs keep our patients healthy and out of hospital, and form a bedrock of support for state and territory health systems. That makes it vital our governments support our GPs with appropriate funding, make sure they can work efficiently by minimising administrative burdens, and ensure that, as small businesses, general practices can thrive.”
RACGP NSW&ACT Chair Dr Rebekah Hoffman joined Dr Higgins in welcoming the new GPs.
“I’m incredibly proud we are welcoming 61 new specialist GPs to practice in and near Canberra,” she said.
“Achieving Fellowship of the RACGP is an outstanding achievement that reflects years of learning and clinical practice, including building links to your community as a GP registrar. Admission to the specialty of general practice is a true highlight in your career, but in many ways it’s a beginning. Fellowship shows our confidence these specialist GPs are ready to serve their communities independently in the broad discipline of general practice.
“Congratulations to our new GPs, and to the experienced supervisors whose mentorship and teaching prepared them to be here today!”
Also in attendance were RACGP Vice President Associate Professor Michael Clements, RACGP NSW&ACT Provost Associate Professor Michael Fasher, Members of the RACGP NSW&ACT Faculty Council, and RACGP CEO Georgina van de Water.
