21 January 2022

GP Synergy member vote on constitutional changes successful

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and GP Synergy are pleased to announce that the strategic partnership between the two organisations was ratified by GP Synergy members at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) held last night.

Effective immediately following the vote, RACGP has become the sole member of GP Synergy during the transition to profession-led community-based training (PLT) in February 2023. At that point, all general practice training will be led by RACGP and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) in accordance with the Government’s policy intention, which was announced by the Federal Minister for Health in October 2017.

President of the RACGP Dr Karen Price welcomed the EGM vote.

“I am very pleased that GP Synergy members have recognised the value of this vital strategic partnership between our two organisations as we transition toward a strong future for GP education and training,” she said.

“We look forward to working together to secure the future of outstanding primary care for NSW and ACT communities.

“This is a vote of confidence in the RACGP’s ability to deliver the transition to practice-led training. We will work closely with other Regional Training Organisations across Australia to establish the transition pathway that is most appropriate for them, so we can deliver the benefits that will come from a profession-led, community-based training model.

“GPs are needed by their communities more than ever before and we can’t afford to have some communities missing out. It doesn’t matter whether someone lives in a major city or a rural or remote town – everyone deserves strong access to outstanding general practice care.”

Chair of GP Synergy Dr Ian Kamerman said the vote was a positive step forward in the move towards PLT.

“GP Synergy members voted to support the constitutional changes that now give effect to the strategic partnership,” he said.

“The GP Synergy Board would like to thank members for their support of the strategic partnership, which will ensure a smooth transition toward the future of general practice education and training in NSW and the ACT, ensuring continuity, quality and accessibility to primary care within our communities.

“This partnership will provide the best outcome for GPs in training in NSW and the ACT during the transition toward PLT.

“The RACGP and GP Synergy are committed to minimising disruption to both organisations, and to the delivery of the Australian General Practice Training program. The strategic partnership will have no impact on GP Synergy staff members, supervisors, and medical educators, who will continue to deliver the AGPT program for the RACGP and ACRRM. It will be business as usual with GP Synergy continuing to deliver excellence in general practice education and training, across NSW and the ACT during the transition to PLT.

“GP Synergy remains strongly committed to delivering high-quality education and training to registrars in rural, regional and remote areas through the AGPT’s training program. GP Synergy has a strong record of delivering this program and will continue to do so to a high standard throughout the transition period. This strategic partnership and subsequent transition will ensure that there is a sustainable pipeline of competent, and confident GPs and Rural Generalists for years to come.”

The new GP Synergy board will consist of nine members. Five will be RACGP nominees and four will be drawn from existing GP Synergy directors. The RACGP will continue working with all regional training organisations, including GP Synergy, to deliver the transition to PLT in 2023 in line with the Government’s policy intent.

The transition to profession-led training, announced by the Federal Government in October 2017, will create a new nationally managed and supported, locally delivered program of general practice training. The model will be community-focused and built on a foundation of high-quality medical educators, training managers, supervisors, and training sites.

The transition will enhance the experience for registrars and provide quality general practice care for all people in Australia, no matter their postcode. It will deliver a sustainable pipeline of competent, and confident GPs and rural generalists.


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