The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) is pleased to announce Riverstone Family Medical Practice, NSW, the recipient of this year’s National General Practice of the Year Award.
The RACGP General Practice of the Year Award recognises a practice’s approach to patient health and wellbeing, exemplary service and quality of care provided to patients, health promotion initiatives and the practice’s involvement in general practice teaching.
Riverstone Family Medical Practice was selected as the recipient of the RACGP Practice of the Year Award based on the clinic’s strong commitment to delivering high quality, culturally sensitive services to its community and dedication to educating future GPs.
Presenting the award on the eve of the GP14 conference in Adelaide, RACGP President, Dr Liz Marles, congratulated Riverstone Family Medical Practice on receiving the highly prestigious award, noting its commitment to providing of high quality healthcare services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and investment in the future of general practice.
“Riverstone Family Medical Practice has demonstrated a dedication to teaching general practice registrars, medical students and allied health students that goes above and beyond standard placement offerings,” said Dr Marles.
“The practice supports and is involved in the delivery of mock exams and release workshops for general practice registrars and supervisors as well as training and facilitating the placement of Australian Defence Force (ADF) registrars.
“Practice principals Dr Sharon Muir and Dr Michelle Crockett are looked upon as role models for the general practice profession and the community at large.”
Riverstone Family Medical Practice comprises a passionate team that proactively provides culturally appropriate services for their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.
“The staff at Riverstone Family Medical Practice make a concerted effort to work with local organisations, programs and services to address their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients’ holistic needs,” said Dr Marles.
“They attend local events to foster relationships within the community and strive to engage with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents in a highly culturally sensitive manner.”
Dr Sharon Muir, co-practice principal, said practice staff are committed to treating all patients with dignity and respect, working with patients to improve their health now and in the future, and are honoured to receive this prestigious RACGP award.
“Riverstone Family Medical Practice is located in a culturally diverse area that includes significant numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” said Dr Muir.
“It is also an outer metro area of workforce shortage with the challenge of a higher proportion of lower socio-economic groups and a heavy burden of complex disease.
“The practice sees a wide variety of patients providing an exciting and rewarding experience every day.”
Dr Michelle Crockett, co-practice principal, said the practice provides services in all aspects of general practice ranging from acute care to chronic disease management, mental health, men’s and women’s health, paediatrics, preventative care, skin cancer checks, work cover and aged care.
“Every member of the practice team genuinely cares about our patients and shares in the common goal of providing the best possible care. We offer a friendly, professional and culturally appropriate service to all patients as well as the medical students and general practice registrars who work with us,” said Dr Crockett
“Achieving this recognition would not have been possible without the dedication of each and every staff member at Riverstone Family Medical Practice and we are truly honoured to accept this award.”
For more information on GP14 – The RACGP’s annual conference for general practice, taking place from 9-11 October in Adelaide, visit the GP14 website.
Further information on the 2014 RACGP Awards can be found on the RACGP website.