The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) National Rural Faculty will proudly mark 20 years of operation with official celebrations taking place in Canberra from 20-22 April.
Since 1992, the National Rural Faculty has played an integral role supporting the rural workforce to accomplish its mission of providing high quality healthcare and access to services across rural communities in Australia.
Dr Kathy Kirkpatrick, Chair of the National Rural Faculty, said the faculty had long advocated for improved conditions, recognition and support for GPs living and working in rural and remote areas of Australia.
“This weekend’s 20 year celebrations are not only a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge our members’ dedication to providing healthcare within a rural setting, but also the faculty’s ongoing support of their efforts,” Dr Kirkpatrick said.
Program activities planned to mark the milestone this weekend include a welcome reception, a range of RACGP QI&CPD activities such as e-health, dermatology and cultural awareness, and a facilitated session sharing rural GP stories.
Another key highlight of the weekend’s program will be the Rural Stakeholder Breakfast Forum, which focuses on ‘Future needs: Retaining the next generation of rural GPs.’
“The roundtable forum will provide an excellent opportunity for key opinion leaders, government representatives, National Rural Faculty members and other delegates to explore topical issues affecting the provision of rural healthcare in Australia.
“Celebrations will culminate in a gala dinner held in the Anzac Hall at the Australian War Memorial,” Dr Kirkpatrick concluded.
The National Rural Faculty represents and advocates on behalf of over 7,000 members and is proud to have the largest rural GP membership of any specialist medical college.
For further information on the celebrations, visit www.racgp.org.au/rural/20anniversary or call 1800 636 764. To arrange media passes, please see media contacts below.