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Tributes flow for ‘tireless’ RACGP President
Tributes for Dr Harry Nespolon have poured in from grieving GPs, patients and the country’s top leaders.
Dr Harry Nespolon passed away following a nine month battle with cancer.
Dozens of GPs have expressed their grief and respect for Dr Harry Nespolon, who died on the weekend following a battle with pancreatic cancer, describing him as a ‘great leader’ and ‘strong advocate’ for the profession.
In response to the announcement, Dr Nespolon was praised as the ‘right man for the right time’, as well as for his ‘selfless act’ of working for his profession while battling a terminal illness.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt hailed Dr Nespolon as a ‘passionate but also reasoned advocate for GPs and, above all, for their patients – the Australian people’.
‘His tenure as president coincided with a period of reform and then, of emergency – both the bushfire emergency and more recently the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,’ Minister Hunt said.
‘Throughout these challenges, and his own personal battle with cancer over the past nine months, he remained tireless, eloquent and cogent in his leadership and drive for positive change.’
Minister Hunt said Dr Nespolon played a crucial role in devising general practice components of the Government response to the pandemic.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer and past RACGP President Dr Michael Kidd said Dr Nespolon had led GPs through the pandemic, including his ‘very strong support’ for the generational shift to telehealth.
‘Harry Nespolon was a remarkable leader and inspirational to many. A valued, loved and respected friend and colleague,’ Professor Kidd said.
The Shadow Minister for Health Chris Bowen said Australia is ‘poorer for his passing’.
One of Dr Nespolon’s patients said the news was ‘heartbreaking’, while another described their long-time GP as a doctor who was ‘really there for his patients and very caring … he will be truly missed by his patients’.
Medical advocacy groups and colleges throughout Australia praised Dr Nespolon’s work.
Dr Tony Bartone, Australian Medical Association President and an RACGP Member, said Dr Nespolon had kept working at ‘full pace’ on behalf of GPs even during the late stages of his illness.
‘Harry was a great defender of general practice. He stood up for doctors,’ Dr Bartone said.
‘He and I spent many hours working with government officials to improve our healthcare system for the better. He simply was passionate about his patients and their care.’
The Rural Doctors Association of Australia expressed deep sadness and noted that Dr Nespolon’s dedication to general practice was ‘unwavering’.
GP Deputising Association President Dr Nathan Pinskier, who has been involved with the RACGP for many years, said Dr Nespolon played an integral role in bringing about the recent telehealth Medicare reforms, which have ‘helped ensure the safety and wellbeing of the medical profession and the patients they care for’.
‘The manner in which he furthered this initiative amongst others as he battled his illness over recent months is a testament to his courage and determination,’ Dr Pinskier said.
Consumers Health Forum CEO Leanne Wells said the news of Dr Nespolon’s untimely passing came as a ‘great loss’ and praised his inclusive approach.
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine President Dr Ewen McPhee said Dr Nespolon was a ‘passionate, principled and cogent advocate for primary care and [the] community’.
Former Rural Health Commissioner Professor Paul Worley expressed grief at the loss of a champion for GPs.
Dr Nespolon was elected President in July 2018.
He passed away on Sunday night after a nine-month battle with pancreatic cancer. He is survived by his partner Lindy and their two children.
He was 57.
The RACGP has established an online memorial wall for Dr Nespolon, where people can leave their condolences, thoughts and images.
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