Dr Liz Marles RACGP Presidential Candidate statement

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1 Dr Liz Marles RACGP Presidential Candidate statement Building our profession for the future My passion and pride in general practice has grown since I first began as a GP registrar in My desire to advocate for and on behalf of my profession has spanned from my registrar days as Registrar Liaison Officer to my current role as RACGP Vice President. The past four years on College Council has reinforced to me the importance of the work that our College does in supporting our dedicated GP members. My extensive background in leadership and advocacy within general practice lays a solid foundation for me to lead the RACGP. As president, my vision is for a united general practice community celebrating our profession and leading the way through the challenging changes within the primary care sector. I have the skills, I have the enthusiasm and I would be proud to be your president. My background: I am a practicing GP in Hornsby NSW and at the Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service where I have a special interest in diabetes. My position as Deputy Director at Hornsby GP Unit gives me valuable insight into the challenges of practice management. I have a strong interest in education. I teach medical students, prevocational doctors and registrars in my practice. I am a guest lecturer at the University of Sydney and a consultant gp educator on aboriginal health training with GP Synergy.. My long involvement with the NSW and ACT Faculty Board and especially my time as Chair has resulted in many initiatives to support our members. I am particularly proud of our IMG mentor and education program. I have also been a strong advocate for our members through collaboration with other GP groups (GP Unity NSW) and as part of GP Council NSW, the advisory body to the NSW Minister for Health. My roles on many state and national boards and committees such as General Practice Education and Training (GPET) and General Practice Registrars Australia (GPRA) have helped me develop valuable skills in leadership, governance and advocacy.

2 As President I will stand for: Pride in our profession general practice as the career of choice General practice is a great career. It offers flexibility, diversity, is intellectually stimulating and challenging and delivers real benefits to individual patients and communities. Many of our GP members are approaching retirement with the natural flow on effect on workforce. I am committed to promoting general practice as the career of choice to our future graduates and ensuring increased numbers of vocational training places. General practice leadership of the national health care reform agenda including e health The health reform is in full swing with momentum gaining on the e health front. The challenges of the PCEHR and other reform initiatives are often driven by political forces with little regard for the realities of general practice. The government s agenda is to achieve maximum value with optimal outcomes. As president, I will work to lead this agenda rather than respond to it. My aim is to ensure that GP rights, quality care and patient safety are not compromised. Developing tomorrow s leaders for our profession our registrars We need to invest in the future of our profession. A sound evidence base through the promotion of general practice research should be a priority in registrar education. Developing vertical integration with registrars as educators will enhance registrar engagement and increase medical education capacity. I will strive to engage with registrars in strategy and policy to shape and support our next generation of leaders. Addressing rural general practice issues Workforce has and continues to be a major issue for rural communities, together with the National Rural Faculty I will continue to engage on policy solutions. Access to procedural training, infrastructure and e health initiatives particularly effect rural communities these are areas that I will strongly and actively address. Supporting our international medical graduate members International medical graduates (IMGs) provide a significant proportion of healthcare to many rural and remote communities. Our IMG colleagues need and deserve support in continuing education, appropriate training and adequate funding. I am committed to advocating on behalf of our IMG members.

3 A clear focus on our core College business education, quality of care, practice standards, research and advocacy. The College has a long and proud history of delivering on our core areas of business in support of our members and our profession. I will safeguard, strengthen and grow this backbone of our College. Driving the best outcomes for our members, our patients, and our communities of care. General practice unquestionably delivers quality, equitable care to our patients and communities. As specialists in people, GP s provide an effective patient journey and create their medical home. I will strive to ensure that the general practitioner remains at the center of primary care coordination and delivery in Australia. My Strategy: Networks and achieving change Advocacy for general practice involves the development of strategic relationships with clear communication and a common desired outcome. It is my intention to build on my existing networks with internal and external stakeholders A united voice is a strong voice When we can speak with one voice our messages are more powerful. As Chair of GP Unity in NSW, I have utilized the collective voice of GP NSW, AMA, RDN(rural doctors network NSW) and RDA(Rural Doctors Association NSW) to have greater general practice input into NSW government health policy. As president I would seek a united voice with other GP groups wherever possible and would utilize UGPA (United General Practice Australia) as the forum to achieve this. The College is its membership As a membership based organization, communication with and support of the members is core business. As President, I would aim to see the RACGP continue to strive in understanding our member needs, and providing support at a personal and professional level. As an academic College responsible for standards, education, assessment and accreditation the input of our GP members is also vital in defining our profession. Good governance of the RACGP is essential for its prosperity and continued member focus. I am an experienced director with a Fellowship of the Institute of Company Directors, and as President I will continue to give governance a high priority.

4 What I bring to the Presidency A proven track record of experience in: Clinical practice urban, outer metropolitan and aboriginal health Practice management Academic general practice research, presentations and education Clinical supervision advocacy across issues affecting registrars, International Medical Graduates s, rural doctors and private practitioners at state and federal levels Governance Leadership This experience has given me the skills I believe are needed to effectively lead the College through the next two years. Please use this opportunity to vote and have your say in the future of general practice. For more information visit my website at facebook page or me at campaignmanager2@gmail.com

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