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GP advocates an ‘effective tool for change’
GPs from all walks of life are encouraged to join the RACGP’s Advocate Network, aimed at leading positive change for general practice.
Queensland GP Dr Lisa Fraser has recently joined the RACGP’s GP Advocate Network to ‘contribute to the college’s efforts for positive change’. (Image: supplied)
‘What can we be doing better to get the GP voice heard?’
That is the question Dr Cathryn Hester asks at every meeting she has with a politician or senior health bureaucrat.
The RACGP Queensland Chair and passionate advocate for general practice is calling for members to sign up for the college’s new GP Advocate Network, launched as part of the inaugural Advocacy Plan in May.
And the answer to her question, Dr Hester told newsGP, is ‘resoundingly to encourage and mobilise’ GPs to build a relationship with their local representatives.
‘GPs then become a trusted source of information for the representatives and ensure that our work is not forgotten,’ she said.
‘This is something we can all do in our electorates, and with the support of the RACGP Advocacy team we can build a healthcare system that preserves and supports our work as GPs.’
To empower members to play an advocate role with their local elected representatives, the college will train a national network of GPs to support its advocacy priorities and be a voice on local community health issues when they join the GP Advocate Network.
While the college is establishing GP advocate networks across all jurisdictions, it is currently putting a callout to Queensland members ahead of the October state election to sign up for the Advocate Network to help lobby politicians and candidates on the most important areas for reform.
Dr Hester flags key areas impacting general practice needed for change in her state, as well as nationally.
‘Most GPs in Queensland work in SME [small–medium enterprise] general practice, so the viability of the business of general practice is crucial,’ she said.
‘We need relief from punitive systems like payroll taxation, support to equip our practices to prepare for climate change and disasters, and support for workforce growth that supports, rather than debases, general practice.’
(L–R) RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins, RACGP Chief Advocacy Officer Shayne Sutton, and RACGP Queensland Chair Dr Cathryn Hester launching the Advocacy Plan at the Practice Owners Conference in May.
One Queensland GP who has signed up for RACGP’s GP Advocate Network is Dr Lisa Fraser. She told newsGP the impetus to join was to make a difference to general practice.
‘[I want to] contribute to the college’s efforts for positive change,’ she said.
‘Including supporting multidisciplinary teams in general practice, enabling GPs to expand their scope, improving GPs’ ability to deliver quality care to aged care, home visits and palliative care.
‘Also improving investments in general practice training.’
The RACGP’s Advocacy Plan has four strategic priority areas:
- The central role of general practice in the health system
- Ensuring the viability of general practice
- Supporting the primary care workforce
- Advocating for health system quality and safety
The plan acknowledges that politicians should expect ‘stronger and focused’ advocacy from Australia’s peak general practice body, and for this reason the RACGP wants members to reach out to local MPs to establish relationships and share with them the challenges GPs are facing.
For Dr Fraser, she believes it is important that GPs are able to advocate for their profession and that policy makers hear directly from GPs – who are given a platform to do so.
‘In a complex world, few people truly understand the nature of general practice and whole person and whole community care … and the complexity of people, the healthcare system and communities,’ she said.
‘So, we need to have a voice to advocate for our patients. You can’t do everything, but there is a time and a place for advocacy for everyone, and this is an effective tool for change so worth the time invested.’
Dr Hester echoes those calls and encourages other GPs to get involved.
‘GPs are absolutely vital for our communities and the healthcare system, but traditionally we have been quiet in the advocacy realm,’ she said.
‘This has resulted in our messages being drowned out by vocal bit-players in the health sector who have received government support well in excess to their actual utility.
‘We need to redress this situation with a calm, evidence-based, and strong voice representing general practice, both for the good of our profession, but also for our communities at large.
‘The RACGP is a very large member-based organisation with over 50,000 members now, providing vital services to all communities across Australia.
‘It is time to flex.’
The RACGP 2024–25 Advocacy Plan is available on the RACGP website and the college is asking members to lodge an expression of interest to join the GP Advocate Network. Members interested in becoming a GP advocate can also email gpadvocate@racgp.org.au.
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