In the Spanish Civil War, republican forces failed to overcome the nationalists because the different factions couldn’t overcome internal conflicts. Some wanted total revolution; some wanted to preserve the republic. The result was nearly 40 years of fascism.
I don’t mean to equate Australian medical politics with the horror of civil war, but history will teach us if we extract the lessons.
Australian general practice is facing an existential crisis. I’m deeply concerned about the inability of our community to unite in a common cause. Many articles in certain publications focus on the division between general practice political ideas, fuelling a divide that, if unchecked, will hand victory to those wishing to disempower our specialty.
A catch cry of this faction is that the RACGP does not and cannot advocate for its members. Another is that it’s not difficult to get everything on our wish list from government – it just requires the right people.
I’m wary of promises to solve decades of complex problems with a simple one-liner. I can’t think of an example when a truly difficult political problem was resolved with a simple statement or action.
As for RACGP advocacy, here’s what RACGP Victoria alone has achieved just in the last month:
- Attended 11 vaccine rollout meetings with the Victorian Department of Health, including meeting with Secretary Euan Wallace
- Held three meetings to support the GP workforce in mass vaccine hubs
- Met twice with AMA Victoria to coordinate advocacy
- Ran two COVID-19 update webinars
- Held a townhall meeting with members
- Met with the RACGP Expert Committee – Research to promote GP research efforts
- Made multiple media appearances promoting general practice
RACGP Victoria also:
- completed political engagement training, and council members are meeting with MPs
- undertook strategic planning and committed to a project to improve discharge summary communications from hospitals
- started planning GP21
- represented GPs at state family violence legislation implementation workshops.
RACGP President Karen Price:
- made more than 400 media appearances
- presented in Canberra most weeks
- held numerous meetings with Minister Greg Hunt.
We’re working hard for Victorian GPs.
Anita Muñoz
RACGP Victoria Chair