News
Practice owners conference: ‘Harnessing the collective wisdom’
The RACGP’s conference Chair says the networking event will showcase the skills and future enablers of GP leaders.
This year’s Practice Owners National Conference will be held at the Cairns Convention Centre from 24–26 May.
The future is in the spotlight at the 2024 Practice Owners National Conference (PONC), the RACGP’s annual networking and educational event for current and aspiring practice owners taking place this month.
RACGP Queensland Chair, Dr Cathryn Hester, is also Chair of the Conference Advisory Committee. She told newsGP this year’s event is packed with professional development opportunities.
‘PONC is very future-focused this year – we are highlighting the skills and enablers that our GP leaders will find useful to flourish in the coming years,’ she said.
‘Leadership, change management, future workforce, enablers of quality care, including technology such as AI, team-based care and strategic planning are all featured.
‘This year, working in concert with the Australian Association of Practice Management, we have also expanded our range of sessions to include topics that are very practically orientated in the theme of healthcare management.’
Taking place in Cairns from 24–26 May, the conference will deliver a board program featuring sessions on the future of practice ownership, financial and medico-legal advice, payroll tax updates, billing, leadership and development, building strong team cultures, and recruitment pathways. The annual Practice Owners Masterclass, an interactive full-day workshop covering key components of practice ownership from current leading industry professionals, is sold out with wait list availability only.
Dr Hester, who is Principal GP at Colleges Crossing Family Practice in Ipswich, is excited to attend and present at the three-day event.
‘My aim was to have our attendees experience some scheduling “FOMO”,’ she said.
‘Every room will have a fascinating topic and engaging presenter/s – which one to choose? Something we have been very mindful of is arranging our sessions in a way that harnesses the collective wisdom of our attendees.
‘All sessions will be featuring interacting elements so we can hear and learn from our colleagues, which is something that I have found powerful at previous PONCs.
‘There will be lots to learn and lots to reflect upon, but what I’m really looking forward to is connecting with like-minded old and new friends and sharing the ups and downs of practice ownership in a supportive environment.’
Among those ups and downs are the challenges of payroll tax and workforce shortages currently facing GPs and practices.
The RACGP’s latest Health of the Nation report reveals that four out of five owners are concerned about the viability of their practice, with sourcing and retaining GPs (36%), business profitability (34%) and increasing business costs (14%) the three biggest challenges practice owners report. Of the estimated 23% of GPs who report owning a practice, close to half (43%) indicate they are not able to maintain a good work–life balance.
As Chair of the Conference Committee, Dr Hester works with GP leaders, stakeholders, sponsors, and ‘the very capable’ RACGP events team to ensure a conference program that GPs and practice managers will find ‘engaging and worthwhile’, with an aim to strengthen the business of general practice.
‘Choosing the scope, direction and tone of the event is a great privilege, and one I hope genuinely supports our profession and creates a unique learning and networking environment for our members,’ she said.
‘The advisory committee has used their deep and wide industry knowledge and contacts to ensure our topics and session presenters are all on point and engaging.’
Keynote presenters at PONC include:
- business strategist and trend forecaster Michael McQueen on ‘Preparing now for what’s next’
- RACGP President Dr Nicole Higgins launching the college’s Advocacy Plan
- previous Professional Services Review Acting Director Dr Antonio Di Dio
- the Department of Health and Aged Care’s ‘Navigating the rules of Medicare’
- RACGP Funding and Health System Reform Chair Dr Michael Wright discussing maximising patient and practice benefits of GP incentives and MyMedicare in 2024.
‘I can’t wait to be in Cairns,’ Dr Hester said.
‘This time of year we will have beautiful warm weather, and there will be a lovely collegiate and relaxed environment.’
The 2024 Practice Owners National Conference will take place at the Cairns Convention Centre from Friday 24 – Sunday 26 May.
Log in below to join the conversation.
business of general practice practice owners Practice Owners National Conference
newsGP weekly poll
How often do you feel pressure from patients to prescribe antibiotics that are not clinically necessary?