‘It can be a bit full on, sometimes,’ was Cameron Loy’s biggest ever understatement as he prepared me for taking on the role of RACGP Victoria Chair. ‘It’s a bit full on’ in the same way the sun is a trifle warm and ocean is slightly damp. Good one, Cam.
Why do we get involved in the faculty then, if it can be complicated, busy, political, intense? There must be a myriad reasons because many Victorian GPs are very actively involved in college life. Some of them for most of their working lives.
For me, it comes down to four big things.
I LOVE my profession. I believe in general practice and the superpower that is generalist medicine. I want the funders, decision-makers, patients, media and other doctors to understand that, too.
I care for and respect my GP colleagues. I know we’re all doing it tougher than ever before. I know we need advocacy and a strong voice and for serious change to occur to protect and promote our specialty and our practices.
I’m deeply preoccupied with the sustainability, efficiency, efficacy and future of our health system. I know profound system reform is needed, and general practice is the key to rational, functional, fair and high-performing health.
Finally, I do love my college and my identity as one of its members. I’d prefer to work hard on recreating our college than contributing to its demise. It’s capacity to help GPs shape the future of health and training is only just being tapped into; a unified RACGP is a sleeping giant we have the potential to wake up.
Why say all of this? Because I hope Victorian GPs can see the value and reward of being active members of RACGP Victoria. It’s almost impossible to ignore the voice of 10,000 GPs.
Dr Anita Muñoz
Chair, Victoria Faculty