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Convocation items finalised
Members have decided on the top three priority items they want incorporated into the college’s 2023 operating plan.
Dr Lara Roeske (left) presenting at the 2022 Convocation at GP22; members casting their votes and asking questions. (Image: Adam Thomas)
The highest priority member submissions, as decided by the RACGP Board, were presented at the RACGP Convocation session directly before the RACGP’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday 24 November at GP22.
Dr Lara Roeske, who was named the new Chair of the RACGP Board at the AGM, opened the Convocation session, comprised of Board Chairs and other members.
‘Convocation was introduced in 1978 and is an important member engagement activity to seek member feedback,’ Dr Roeske said.
‘We are committed to ensuring our members are heard and responded to.’
For the 2022 Convocation 53 submissions were received, of which the Board finalised three voting items. Each item should be progressed to be part of the RACGP policy or position and be identified as part of the operating plan for 2023.
RACGP CEO Paul Wappett welcomed the decisions.
‘We’re pleased with the outcomes from this year’s Convocation, which will be incorporated into the college’s revised operating plan for 2023,’ Mr Wappett told newsGP.
‘I’d like to thank all members who provided feedback around shaping the college’s future initiatives, policy and priorities, which helps give clarity to some of the significant issues facing the GP community.
‘The final items offer a well-rounded trio of innovative and educational initiatives aimed at supporting GPs and the valuable role they perform in the community.’
Item 1: Voted as the highest priority, presented by Dr Wei May Su
‘That the RACGP continue its support for GPs and teams, including primary care nurses and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, in managing the impacts of family and domestic violence.’
Item 1 was voted as being the highest priority from the 2022 items, and included five key recommendations – the first three of which will build on the RACGP’s current activities, and further policy and advocacy to enable the remaining two recommendations:
- Continue to deliver training for primary care to support families
- Continue to support GPs to be trauma-informed workplaces, and teams to provide trauma-informed care
- Deliver whole-of-practice training, working with existing organisations, including the RACGP’s Family Violence GP Education Program
- Encourage appropriate clinical recommendations, using the White Book, understanding state/territory legislation, supporting use of the World Health Organization’s LIVES approach – a framework for response
- Support practices to be better remunerated for this care they provide, ie longer consultations for more complex care, access for referral pathways for GP management plans, MBS item 44
The college’s
existing partnership with the University of Melbourne’s Safer Families Centre national
Readiness Program arms primary care providers with the tools to effectively recognise, respond, refer and record domestic and family violence through a multifaceted training program.
‘The highest priority item will see the college continue the important work of supporting GPs providing trauma-informed care to people experiencing family abuse and violence, through ongoing education and training,’ Mr Wappett said.
Item 3: Voted as the second highest priority, presented by Dr Melian Deery
‘Recognising excellence in general practice design through an RACGP award: Can the RACGP start an architectural award to celebrate design, practical in serving patients, showcasing what general practice can be and providing a wellbeing space?’
Dr Deery told the audience via a pre-recorded video message, that ‘good design can enhance the practice and be inspiring’.
‘This award can contribute to pride in our profession, including among GPs in training,’ she said.
‘For the patient it can create inclusive, culturally safe spaces.
‘Practices can create a statement about what they aspire to be – lift their profile, be recognised.’
Dr Deery then shared examples of innovative practice designs, including that of RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins, in Mackay, Queensland.
‘It’s really important we have great spaces to work – if we don’t look after our GPs, we can’t look after our patients,’ Dr Higgins said.
‘Safe, functional spaces are so important.’
RACGP NSW&ACT Chair Associate Professor Charlotte Hespe agreed.
‘It is so important that GPs and teams have a sense of wellbeing, and good architecture is integral to wellbeing,’ she said.
Practices were encouraged to share their spaces and ideas for applications for the proposed award.
Item 2: Voted as the third priority, presented by rural GP Dr Colin Hughes
‘Can the RACGP support rural/remote GPs to get adequate compensation for family/study/conference leave? Enabling a model for enhancing remote and rural workforce attraction and retention.’
‘Rural GPs are totally undervalued, they are the lifeline of country communities,’ Dr Hughes said in his presentation.
‘How do we retain rural GPs? The constant on-call and quality of life is causing stress … it is essential these GPs get adequate compensation for leave supervision to enable reskilling, retain current GPs and attract future GPs.’
This item was met with some questions and concerns from audience members regarding funding.
Acknowledging the
rural GP crisis, practice owner Dr Maria Boulton asked how will this impact private practices in these areas, and where will the funding come from?
RACGP Rural Chair Associate Professor Michael Clements asked how the incentive would be funded nationally and for more clarification on the model.
‘Are we talking about that every single rural GP should fall under a salary – and who would pay this?’ he asked.
The college thanks all members who submitted ideas, the selection panel members and attendees. While item 1 was selected as the highest priority, all suggestions will be fed into RACGP policy, position and activity for the next 12 months, and the college will report on the activity in 2023 to members.
*Due to technical issues with the live voting function on the evening of Convocation, members were sent a recording of the session to vote after the event, resulting in the delay in publishing the full outcomes.
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