Dr Bruce Willett

I believe in general practice, in my colleagues, and in what we do. At the same time, I consider general practice is under threat like it never has been before. I must confess at times in my career, I have been frustrated by and even distrustful of our medical organisations, including the RACGP and the AMA. However, I have come to the inevitable conclusion that if general practice is to survive and continue to serve patients best, it is important that we stand together and work together for a better healthcare system. We cannot afford to bicker with each other or allow others to set us on one another. It is worth remembering that all the best healthcare systems in the world have in common a strong general practice, so the pressure is on us to work together and get it right.

Change is inevitable, and nowhere is this more true than in healthcare. As a council, an organisation, and a profession, we need to work to ensure that the change is for the better. We must get better at supporting one another. The RACGP and the Queensland faculty need to play a pivotal role in connecting GPs to one another to provide the support that, sometimes, you can only get from another colleague who understands what you are going through.

The opportunity to get to know my patients to understand them and their needs fully and to provide bespoke care tailored around individual patients over time. Guidelines are important: understanding an individual patient is essential.

The creativity of practice ownership has been terrific; I would commend it to all of my younger colleagues. I am also shallow enough to bask in the kindness and gratitude of my patients.

Nothing is more terrifying than a consultation opening with, “Don’t worry, doc, this will be a quick one”.

I had a starring role on Romper Room at age 4 (that is a television program from the 60s and 70s for those who are unfortunately young or have come from overseas).