As each month of this pandemic passes, I find myself musing that surely this is as complex as it can get. As the following month unfolds, and a new layer of complexity is applied, I chide myself, draw breath and, like all of us, prepare to adapt to yet further changes. This month, it was all about advocacy.
As the chaos of vaccine messaging erupted in June, I – along with all faculty Chairs – took to the media in a college-wide effort to extol the vital role of general practice in this pandemic and in health more broadly, reiterating the advocacy charge led by our President Karen Price. From very early in the morning until late at night, seven days a week, our indefatigable Media team has coordinated an assertive messaging campaign to make it clear to the community and leaders alike just how vital our profession is.
At a state level, Bernard Shiu, Marina Malcolm, Nathan Pinskier and I have become clinical champions to deliver targeted vaccine information to Victorian populations.
RACGP Victoria has also begun its preparations for political advocacy as the federal election draws closer. Several GPs have signed up for our grassroots campaign and will meet with their MPs over the coming months.
Amid all the change, we continue to support our members with our monthly RACGP Victoria–Department of Health webinars on all things public health, and the Alt Wednesday webinar series to discuss the clinical conundrums GPs face.
Our ‘Book a chat with Vic fac’ allows me to advocate for Victorian members on a one-on-one level, meeting (virtually at this stage) with multiple Victorian members needing help and support on a personal level, whether with telehealth compliance letters or other practice matters.
I’ve no doubt RACGP advocacy will continue apace in July.