Dr Alan Bradley

What has motivated you to nominate to be President?

I think that the Government’s Scope of Practice review, which will soon be released, is a threat to the health of our patients. It sees GPs as obstacles, rather than the glue which holds the system together. They think General Practice is so easy that registrars could be supervised by non-doctors. I nominated to be president because I’m planning to be a GP for the next 30 years, and I’m worried we’re going down the path of the NHS; with stressed GPs, sicker patients, and non-doctors dominating primary care. 

The majority of our members are GP contractors, and yet the majority of the RACGP board are practice owners. I want to bring some balance to the board, and give voice to the concerns many of us have about scope creep. It’s a danger to our patients and we need to do everything we can to try and stop it.

What is one thing you believe the College needs to do differently going forward?

The biggest thing the College must do is urgently prepare our response to the Scope of Practice review. For a start, we should:

• Release a position statement, stating that GPs should not be supervising non-doctors who are diagnosing or treating undifferentiated patients.
• Update the RACGP Practice Standards, so that any clinics who use non-doctors to see undifferentiated patients do not meet accreditation standards.
• Coordinate a public education campaign – with posters, slogans and materials – ready to be distributed to every clinic in Australia once the final Scope of Practice report is released.
• Upgrade the College’s Advocacy Plan to focus on the risks to our patient’s health from Scope Creep
• Engage and survey our members on their views regarding MyMedicare and the collective actions they would be willing to sign up to.

We can’t leave anything on the table in this fight. It’s too important.

What do you see are the key issues impacting the future GP workforce?

The health system is getting more complex every year, and so are the medical conditions facing our patients. There is an access problem in primary care, and we need more quality GPs. The way we get them is to pay GPs what they’re worth, and not ask our registrars to take a $50,000 pay cut in order to train in the most efficient and important area of medicine.

No doctor should take a pay cut to train as a GP. Registrars should retain their parental leave, study leave, sick leave, and CME entitlements. We could accomplish both, using only 3% of the $3 billion in extra funding given to the pharmacists this year.

We need to restore the Medicare rebate, which has gone backwards over the past decade of cuts. We won’t get the workforce we need if pay and conditions continue to decline compared to other specialties.

What advice would you give a future GP?

General practice is a really rewarding job. I love being the family GP, seeing patients at all stages of life, and the continuity of being the first point of contact for their health. But my advice would be to not speed-run into it. Having an extra year or two in the hospital is very helpful to get that broad range of experience needed for general practice. You have the rest of your career to be a GP, so value your hospital time while you can.

As an intern, I thought about what presentations would cause me the most anxiety in general practice. I felt I didn’t have enough confidence in otoscopy, addiction issues, neonates, or non-acute psychiatry. Doing extra rotations in ENT, Addiction Medicine, Paediatrics and Psychiatry really helped prepare me for the diverse range of presentations that you see in General Practice.

Do you have any hidden talents we should know about?

I play the drums, however I have no talent for it, so I’m not sure it counts. 

I also have a knack for knowing exactly when the umpire has made a mistake during Collingwood games. 

What is one book you would recommend we all read?

Non-fiction: I know GP registrars have read enough textbooks for a lifetime, but if you’ve got the stomach for one more – Foundations of Economics: A beginner’s companion by Yanis Varoufakis is amazing. It mixes economics, history and politics together in a really interesting way. It’s a really easy read and it’s short! If you’re interested learning about economics, and you want to understand the big ideas without needing lots of maths, this is a great choice.

Fiction: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. If you liked the movie “The Martian” – and of course you did because it’s fantastic – pick up this book. Space, science, humour. They’re turning it into a movie starring Ryan Gosling, so if you read it now you can be that annoying person who says the book was better.

---

For more information on all the 2024 candidates for RACGP President, visit the RACGP website.

Dr Michael Clements

What has motivated you to nominate to be President?

I started my medical career looking to use my skills wherever the government needed me, be it in Australia or overseas,  in humanitarian relief or in warzones and that is why I joined the RAAF. As I have progressed through my career I have continued to look for where I am needed, where I can contribute and make a difference which is why I have found myself in practice ownership, serving remote and regional towns and teaching and mentoring the next generation of GPs in support of the RACGP.

Serving on the RACGP Councils and Board for the last 8 years has served as an apprenticeship of sorts for becoming the next President. I have developed the skills, networks and conviction to protect and advance the profession. We need a president with the experience and readiness to continue the momentum and pressure on the government to make the right decisions, and we will achieve this through collaboration and mobilisation of the patient voice.

What is one thing you believe the College needs to do differently going forward?

Holding training practices to account.

Making sure that practices who sign a contract to say they will mentor, teach, train and support our registrars on AGPT, PEP and FSP pathways actually deliver on those promises while providing appropriate remuneration and employment protections.

Holding to account includes fair remuneration aiming pay-parity with hospital trainees. The NTCER negotiations should reflect that practice owners did get a significant uplift with revenue with the changes to BB incentive and we must see GPT1s offered realistic salaries reflective of their value to the practice and not treated as minimum wage workers.

Holding to account is done by removing registrars or training site approvals when appropriate. We know in MMM1 locations that there is ample training capacity with practices who would teach given the opportunity. To inspire future generations of GPs we must treat them appropriately as practice owners when they first join us. 

What do you see are the key issues impacting the future GP workforce? 

There are threats loosely grouped in the media as “Scope of Practice creep”. It is not a single review or policy that is the issue, it is that State and Federal Governments have been using the GP Crisis narrative to look for cheaper solutions everywhere except in general practice. This includes pharmacy prescribing and management of certain conditions and NPs conducting telehealth without a prior relationship with a patient or medical collaboration, it means physician associates as lesser trained substitutes being employed by hospitals to divert patients away from a doctor.

We risk the mistakes of the UK NHS system. We will be stuck helping patients recover from missed diagnosis and incorrect or delayed treatment of serious disease. Only the GP holds the expertise in undifferentiated presentations and any model that seeks to divert undifferentiated patients from GPs is a threat to the patient and to the health system.

What advice would you give a future GP? 

To echo Dr Louise Stone, “GPs are Awesome”. As Rural Chair and in my role with the Queensland Health Rural Generalist team I give presentations to medical students and junior doctors about rural general practice and rural generalism regularly. I talk of the joy of continuity of care, the skill to deal with whatever the patient presents with, and deal with them as a whole person rather than as a disease.

I acknowledge that some roles have low pay and the government needs to do more to support the vulnerable but there are ways of making good money as a GP in the right practice or salaried role. Medicare rebates are there for us to choose to accept or decline when deciding our fees and trainees need to make decisions on where to work based on their income goals. I talk of the beauty of the Fellowship in opening doors to a wide variety of portfolio careers which allow us to reinvent ourselves every few years to continue to grow and develop as professionals. GP remains the most important specialty.

Do you have any hidden talents we should know about? 

I would love to talk about my flying but that is not exactly hidden as I do include it in my video and tell anyone who will listen so I will talk about running instead.

I like to run but slowly. I never ran before I joined the RAAF but was forced into the habit so I then started doing half-marathons and marathons including overseas. During COVID lockdowns my eldest daughter and I commenced running together and we have started ultra-marathons having completed two Ultras and a number of marathons in the last 12 months and with one more ultra booked in December. I am not the usual physique for a long distance runner but my talent is that my knees seem to cope when I run slow and my teenage daughter copes with spending 4-6 hours with me on weekends in training and longer in the races. Feel free to cheer us on in the UTMB Kosciusko 50k in December. 

What is one book you would recommend we all read.

The last book that I felt sad to finish was Trent Dalton’s Lola in the Mirror. I listened to it as an audiobook which meant I missed the sketches that accompanied the chapters and formed part of the story so I would recommend the paper book to people where possible. It was funny, powerful, colourful, heartbreaking and uplifting to read. 

The storytelling gives very visceral depictions of issues of addiction, poverty and domestic violence and this is intertwined with beauty, humour and hope all within the setting of Brisbane city and the river. This meant on my runs around Brisbane river while I was listening to the book I could place exactly where he was talking about. Lola in the Mirror was painful and joyful to read and I commend it to everyone, though be aware the book may be triggering for some. 

---

For more information on all the 2024 candidates for RACGP President, visit the RACGP website.

Dr Palmyra De Banks

What has motivated you to nominate to be President?

My motivation to nominate for the RACGP Presidency stems from a deep commitment to advancing the field of General Practice and advocating for the needs of our members and patients.

Throughout my career, across 2 continents, I’ve witnessed the challenges faced by GPs, including the increasing complexity of healthcare delivery and the need for strong representation and support. I believe that, as President, I can drive positive change, foster innovation, and ensure that the voices of GPs are heard at all levels of decision-making.

What is one thing you believe the College needs to do differently going forward?

The College needs to enhance its engagement with grassroots GPs, ensuring that their insights and experiences shape our policies and initiatives.

We must create more opportunities for members to contribute to the strategic direction of the College and improve our communication channels to keep them informed and involved. This includes leveraging digital platforms for better accessibility and inclusivity, enabling GPs from all backgrounds and locations to participate actively and we need to listen. We need to listen to the members to ensure we are truly representative. 

What do you see are the key issues impacting the future GP workforce?

The future GP workforce faces several key issues, including ongoing workforce shortages, burnout, and the evolving nature of healthcare needs. We need to address the distribution of GPs across urban and rural areas, support ongoing professional development, and advocate for fair remuneration in line with our speciality peers.

Additionally, we must focus on integrating new technologies and models of care that can enhance efficiency and patient outcomes, while ensuring that the human aspect of care remains central to our practice. We face challenges from the pharmacy guild who are pushing their agenda at the expense of patient safety and evidence-based patient care. 

What advice would you give a future GP?

My advice to future GPs is to remain adaptable and committed to lifelong learning. The landscape of general practice is constantly evolving, and staying updated with the latest advancements and best practices is crucial.

Equally important is maintaining a strong sense of empathy and compassion, as building meaningful relationships with patients is at the heart of what we do.

Lastly, find a support network among your peers, mentors, and professional organisations like the RACGP, as collaboration and support are vital in navigating the challenges of our profession.

Do you have any hidden talents we should know about?

While my passion for medicine and advocacy takes up much of my time, as does supporting my children in their sporting and academic endeavours, I also have a knack for AFL footy tipping. Last year, I had a fantastic season and ended up as the top tipper in ESPN’s national competition out of over 826,000 participants at the end of the regular season. Although I backed the Brisbane Lions in the final, which didn’t pan out as hoped, the experience reinforced my love for the game and my ability to analyse and predict outcomes — a skill that translates well into my professional decision-making and strategic planning.

This knack for footy tipping isn’t just about luck; it’s a reflection of my strategic thinking, attention to detail, and ability to stay informed about the latest trends and developments. These are skills I regularly apply in my professional life. 

Whether in the clinic, on a committee, or within a community project, I take pride in my ability to engage people, create a positive environment, and work towards shared objectives. This extends to my footy tipping hobby, where I enjoy engaging with others in friendly competition, sharing insights, and building camaraderie.

Whether strategising for a committee project or making predictions for the next big game, I find joy in the process and value in the connections made along the way

What is one book you would recommend we all read?

I recommend The Castle by Franz Kafka. This novel delves into themes of bureaucracy, isolation, and the often-elusive nature of authority and purpose.

Kafka’s narrative offers a thought-provoking exploration of the absurdities and complexities within hierarchical systems, reflecting experiences in both professional and personal life. The protagonist’s struggle to gain access to a mysterious castle serves as a powerful metaphor for the often inaccessible nature of power structures.

It’s a challenging yet rewarding read that encourages introspection and a deeper understanding of the human condition.

---

For more information on all the 2024 candidates for RACGP President, visit the RACGP website.

Dr Monirul Haque

What has motivated you to nominate to be President?

To secure a higher Medicare rebate by proving that GPs are most uniquely suited for the role. I also propose renaming the RACGP to the “Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and Family Medicine.” This change would establish a clear career progression and provide additional growth paths, allowing medical doctors who pass the RACGP exam to be recognised as “Specialists in General Practice and Family Medicine.”

What is one thing you believe the College needs to do differently going forward? 

To enhance our bargaining power with various stakeholders, the RACGP — Australia’s largest organisation of medical practitioners — must address its current limited influence on key issues affecting GPs. The government is not fully recognising the critical role of GPs. The RACGP should leverage its membership base by amending its constitution to enable more effective engagement with stakeholders. This would demonstrate to the government that GPs are essential leaders in primary care and are united in their mission.

This could involve advocating for political action. Although the RACGP is not traditionally involved in industrial actions, its position as the largest representative body for doctors means it must develop a stronger voice and demonstrate its influence. Without this, the value of the profession could continue to diminish, discouraging new medical graduates from pursuing a career in general practice. It’s crucial for all GPs to unite on common issues to strengthen their position.

What do you see are the key issues impacting the future GP workforce? 

• Inadequate Funding for GP Training: Insufficient financial support has led to a failure to attract young medical graduates into general practice, largely due to lack of respect, recognition, and fair remuneration from the government.
• Missed Training Opportunities: There is a shortage of supervisors in rural and remote areas, resulting in missed chances to train Australian residents or citizens in metropolitan cities before they move to rural areas for fellowship training.
• Lack of Pre-Fellowship GP Programs (PFGPP): Both urban and rural areas need funded PFGPPs to provide potential GPs with exposure to general practice.
• Insufficient Funding for Supervisors and Educators: Increased funding is needed for Family Medicine Departments at medical schools, which would encourage doctors to join academic roles and attract young graduates to general practice.
• Support for Unsuccessful FRACGP Candidates: There is a significant loss of GP training resources if repeatedly unsuccessful candidates do not receive additional training opportunities from independent supervisors and educators.
• Identifying and Supporting Vulnerable GP Registrars: Mechanisms are needed to identify vulnerable registrars and offer support before they face repeated attempts.
• Reducing Co-Supervisor Eligibility Time: Shortening the eligibility time for co-supervisors from three years to two years post-fellowship would increase the number of available supervisors.
• Support for Female Registrars/Trainees: Female registrars need maternity leave and additional childcare support.
• Health Support for GPs: GPs and registrars require better access to rapid treatment for their health problems within the general practice and hospital systems.
• Enhancing RACGP’s Structure and Power: The RACGP needs greater authority and structure to provide and certify further training beyond the FRACGP.
• Support for GP Registrars: GP registrar training should be centered around the needs of the registrars, without penalising them.
• Fair Billing Practices: The government should pay an extra 10% of the total billing from Medicare directly in addition to what practice owners pay, as registrars currently receive only 45-50% of the practice billing.

What advice would you give a future GP? 

Respect Medicare, but also reduce reliance on its funding by expanding your skills and gaining recognition as a Specialist in Family Medicine. Pursue further training to enhance your expertise and achieve higher remuneration, similar to other non-GP specialists. Disease prevention, a vital part of general practice, often goes unrecognised because its benefits are less visible. By focusing on advanced procedures and identifying as a Consultant Family Physician, you can gain more respect and recognition.

In Australia, “General Practice” and “Family Medicine” are not interchangeable, with non-GP specialists often performing general practice tasks and charging more. Adding “Family Medicine” to the RACGP’s title will open pathways for an expanded scope of practice, including prescribing Roaccutane, treating ADHD and autism, managing musculoskeletal issues, performing Point of Care Ultrasound (PoCUS), and handling complex diabetes and sleep apnea cases. This broader scope will enhance job satisfaction for GPs.

Do you have any hidden talents we should know about? 

Authoring a textbook titled “Advanced Family Medicine: Expanding Skills in General Practice” to explore innovative approaches and broaden the scope of general practice both in Australia and internationally.

What is one book you would recommend we all read.

“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R Covey.

---

For more information on all the 2024 candidates for RACGP President, visit the RACGP website.

Dr Michael Wright

What has motivated you to nominate to be President?

Australians have had world leading health outcomes for the last 40 years because of access to GP services and that access is rapidly disappearing.  That’s what I’m fighting for and that’s why I’m standing to be RACGP President.    

I see rapid defunding of GP services along with policies supporting untested new models of care and discussion about changing scope, which will deliver worse care, jeopardise the viability of general practice, and threaten the existence of our profession.

I also believe I have the mix of skills and experience to solve this problem.  I’ve been a practising GP for the last 20 years. I’ve also worked as a health economist, chaired RACGP’s Funding and Health System Reform Committee, and led the advocacy education and research division for 80,000 doctors at Avant.  

RACGP needs a president with clinical expertise but who can negotiate with funders, and understands the economics of general practice.  I won’t stand by while general practice is destroyed by inadequate financing on one side and poorly thought-out health policy on the other which prevent patients from accessing our care.  

What is one thing you believe the College needs to do differently going forward?

There are obviously multiple priorities – advocate strongly for better funding, ensure consistency of training experiences, push back against scope creep. But one thing to fix from tomorrow is the negative narrative around general practice.

As I’ve spoken with GP registrars around the country, they have been universally enthusiastic about working in general practice. But they, like me, are tired of the negative narrative about general practice coming from the media, colleagues and even college leaders. The policy problems are real and complex but the RACGP’s narrative needs to be more positive, constructive and focus on the skills, capability and readiness of the current and future profession.    

This positivity isn’t just empty words. The evidence of the positive future needs to emerge from the College from stronger advocacy yielding results in terms of increased funding and resourcing for general practice.

What do you see are the key issues impacting the future GP workforce?

Significant financial and workplace barriers every step from medical student to GP Registrar.   From loss of workplace entitlements, remuneration disparities, choosing a practice, NTCER, to exams, billing and Medicare, relocation costs and inconsistent training experiences. These barriers are often amplified for IMGs and rural registrars.

Which ones are key? I think they all need serious attention along with changing cultural perceptions of General Practice starting in medical school and shifting the negative narrative about general practice.  

These immense challenges are critical to solve for the sustainability of General Practice. Therefore one of my priorities as President is for RACGP to better support GP Registrars with advocacy to remove financial barriers and secure the future pipeline of general practitioners.  

I think the long-term solution lies with systematic and strategic exposure to general practice, improving the understanding and attractiveness of GP work at all phases of a doctor’s career, from medical students, interns, through GPs in training to fellowship. 

What advice would you give a future GP?

You are about to enter an exciting and fulfilling profession which gives you the privilege to play a central role in the lives of the patients you care for and an integral part of your community.    

Maximise the learning opportunities you are given, enjoy the relationships you develop with your patient and your colleagues, embrace generalism but recognise the aspects of care which give you the most enjoyment, and most importantly prioritise your own well-being as you take this journey

Do you have any hidden talents we should know about?

Perhaps not talents, but certainly hidden. About 15 years ago I was fortunate to spend time in Cuba and learned three skills in a week – how to mix a mojito, how to salsa and how to a roll a cigar. I think I can still do the first one.  

What is one book you would recommend we all read?

For those wanting fiction (and who haven’t seen the Netflix series) I would recommend A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. It describes in beautiful detail how society rapidly shifts, the things you can lose along the way, and the need to fight for what you believe in.  A message for all us in that one.

For non-fiction, a book which inspired me as I learnt more about health system funding was The Value of Everything by Mariana Mazzucatto. Mazzucatto is an economist but in this fairly approachable book (for an economist) she talks about problems that emerge when economies fail to properly differentiate between price and value, (or to distinguish value extractors from value creators). As a result, they end up undervaluing care. The solution is for societies and government to prioritise support and encourage innovation for value creators. Obviously I see general practices as important value creators.

---

For more information on all the 2024 candidates for RACGP President, visit the RACGP website.