RACGP President and CMO speak out

Two of Australia’s key healthcare leaders took to the stage to address a packed room of more than 1300 GPs and the next generation of GPs over the weekend, to talk about the future of the profession, and the work needed to ensure sustainability and best patient outcomes.
 
At the RACGP’s GP25 conference in Brisbane, on Turrbal and Jagera Country, college President Dr Michael Wright presented his keynote address, following Australia’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Professor Michael Kidd’s keynote.
 
Dr Wright kicked off with a summary of his ‘rollercoaster of a year’ since becoming President in November 2024.
 
‘It’s been a year where we’ve seen general practice and funding reform at the front and centre, and while it’s been exciting, there have been moments where it’s been quite challenging,’ he said.
 
‘I have fought for you [college members] relentlessly trying to achieve success, and I feel we have been successful in many areas, but recognise there’s still a lot to achieve. 
 
‘When I first stood for President, I was really concerned there were policymakers who don’t understand the value of what we do in general practice. And I hoped that a combination of being a GP, my background in health economics, and being a researcher, I’d be able to bring all those and get that message across.
 
‘And even now, I’m amazed at the breadth of work and activity that the college is doing … really trying to get the general practice voice into so much of the health policy debate around this country.
 
‘One of the great thrills has actually been spending time in so many practices, meeting so many of you to understand how you’re providing care for your community.’
 
After sharing other highlights of the college’s work and advocacy wins, as well as challenges, Dr Wright delved into the hot topic of the day – the recent major changes to Medicare billing.
Acknowledging the hard work from previous college Presidents carried over, Dr Wright noted the political landscape dominating his tenure so far.
 
‘It’s fair to say that the Government going to an election within a couple of months having taken over as President, means that the politics side has dominated a lot of what I’ve done,’ he said.
 
‘We recognise that the Government has made a major commitment to [general practice] funding, and how that’s now rolled out as we got to 1 November, and the conversations continue today.
 
‘Throughout my time as President, we’ve really tried to raise the visibility of general practice. To you as members, but also to highlight the value we provide to our communities.’
 
Referencing the day’s earlier ‘respectful but frank’ discussion with Federal Health and Ageing Minister Mark Butler, Dr Wright said he is committed to supporting all members regardless of their billing models, and whether they decide the new Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program is viable for their business to participate in.
 
‘There has been some tension we saw with the media commentary after 1 November, and seeing us being bombarded on social media with the “free GPs” narrative was pretty offensive to us,’ he said.
 
‘As you know, I’ve called it out … and we are working very hard behind the scenes to get your message heard,’ he said.
 
‘When you tell us that things aren’t working, your message is getting heard by your college, and we’re taking it forward.’
 
As the first GP ever to be appointed the role of CMO, as well as being a past RACGP President, Professor Kidd’s address focused on trends in healthcare, also aligning with the conference theme.
 
He discussed future delivery of healthcare, key research being done in this space, and how GPs can be part of ‘a brighter future for our health system’.
 
‘My role is to do everything I can to ensure an even better health system and health experience for everybody in Australia, and this includes especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,’ Professor Kidd said.
 
‘As well as challenges, there are many opportunities, including the growing number of new training places in our medical schools, with a focus on those providing strong general practice experiences.’
 
Professor Kidd also acknowledged the power of GPs in contributing to public health and providing continuous, comprehensive and holistic care, and noting the ‘future of our profession is in great hands’, paid tribute to the nation’s general practice registrars and medical students.
 
The room was reminded of the medical school learning of the Hippocratic Oath, ‘First, do no harm’.
 
‘This means doing no harm to our patients, but also doing no harm to ourselves and no harm to the people who work alongside us, looking after ourselves and looking after each other,’ he said.
 
‘It’s not selfish, it’s essential if we’re going to be able to continue doing the amazing work that we do as GPs.
 
‘Being able to have respectful and open dialogue about varying viewpoints can foster better solutions, stronger relationships and a deeper shared understanding of complex issues, because, after all, we are all focused on the same challenges.’
 
Among those challenges, Professor Kidd lists, improving equitable access and outcomes, closing the gap in the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people with disability, and modernising the Medicare system.
 
‘We all want a health system that delivers the very best healthcare and wellbeing outcomes for our patients, our communities and our nation, and by working together, especially through our college, we are a powerful force for good,’ he said.
 
‘So, when I look in that crystal ball forward 10 years, what do I see? I see you – our nation’s GPs, doing the amazing work you’ve always been doing and continuing to do it into the future.’
 
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