The President's Message – 9 February 2024
Hello and Kia ora everyone. I’m Dr Jacqueline Small, President of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. I would like to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the traditional owners and custodians of the lands I’m joining you from. I extend my respect to all Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and Māori people. Together we restate our shared commitment to advancing Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori health and education as core business of the RACP.
Welcome back. We begin the year with congratulations to the 22 RACP Fellows recognised in the 2024 Australia Day and Aotearoa New Zealand New Year Honours lists. These awards highlight the outstanding work RACP members do and the importance of that work in local, national, and international communities.
In Aotearoa New Zealand New Years honours, Dr Scott MacFarlane becomes a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to health. He is a paediatric oncologist, well knowN for his work in significantly improving child survival rates from cancer.
Professor Frank Bloomfield becomes an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to neonatology. He has led ground-breaking research into the optimisation of protein intake and nutrition for premature babies.
In the Australia Day 2024 Honours, Professor Joseph Albert Trapani FRACP is made an Officer of the Order of Australia for his distinguished service to medical research, particularly immunology and the development of immune-based cancer therapies, and to the community.
Twelve Fellows are appointed as Members of the Order of Australia for significant services to medicine. The citations highlight the tremendous breadth of expertise in our College from both our Divisions and Faculties, palliative care, medical research, genetics, rehabilitation medicine, clinical epidemiology, oncology, neurology, and infectious diseases specialties are all mentioned. Another seven Fellows are awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to medicine and specifically, gastroenterology, palliative care, neuro-oncology, and cardiology. You can read the full list of Fellows in each category along with their citations.
These awards are the pinnacles of recognition of your contributions to the community in both our nations. As College President, I congratulate you all on these achievements - your College is incredibly proud of you.
I’d also like to draw your attention to another Fellow who was named one of two 2024 Australian of the year, Professor Georgina Long AO. This is a pre-eminent national award made each year in advance of Australia Day. Professors Georgina Long AO and Richard Scolyer AO FRCPA jointly received this year’s award. As the Australian of the Year citation says, their story is one of an enduring partnership which has saved thousands of lives from melanoma.
Less than a decade ago, advanced melanoma was fatal. But thanks to Georgina and Richard’s immunotherapy approach, which activates a patient’s own immune system, it is becoming a curable disease. Their achievements are all the more significant when you consider that Richard was diagnosed with incurable grade 4 brain cancer in June last year. He and Georgina have developed a series of world-first treatments based on their melanoma breakthroughs.
Richard became the world’s first brain cancer patient to have pre-surgery combination immunotherapy. By undertaking an experimental treatment with risk of shortening his life, he has advanced the understanding of brain cancer and is benefiting future patients. A remarkable achievement – congratulations to you both.
Finally, over the holiday period we lost two Fellows who have both made huge contributions to our College, and their communities. It was a great shock to many of us to hear that former Board Director and AMD President, Associate Professor Alasdair MacDonald died suddenly on Christmas Day. Alasdair consistently gave generously of his expertise, wisdom, and extensive knowledge, particularly in areas of healthcare policy and advocacy. He was regarded with great affection by many colleagues and staff and will be remembered as a physician leader for his gentle, kind, and compassionate manner.
Dr Robin Mortimer AO FRACP also passed away late last year. Some of you will remember Robin serving as College President from 2002 to 2004. Our College records show him being involved in over 30 committees, steering groups, and Councils including terms as a Board Director before becoming President. He was also well known for his Presidency of the AMC and his 35 years of service to Queensland Health and community healthcare more broadly.
Please join me in recognising the achievements of these two Fellows past, and celebrating those of our 22 Fellows present who have been honoured in both Australia and Aotearoa.
This year, RACP Congress is being held in Sydney on 16 and 17 May. There is a stimulating program and the event will be a great opportunity to network with colleagues across our countries. If you can’t make Congress, you can register separately for the gala dinner. It's bound to be a very enjoyable evening. Hoping to see you there.
Dr Jacqueline Small
RACP President
To contact Jacqueline, please email president@racp.edu.au
Congratulations to the 22 RACP Fellows recognised in the 2024 Australia Day and Aotearoa New Zealand New Year Honour lists. These awards highlight the outstanding work RACP members do and the importance of that work in local, national and international communities.
We are also incredibly proud that RACP Fellow, Professor Georgina Long AO and Professor Richard Scolyer AO have been recognised for their melanoma research and treatment work. Being named joint 2024 Australian of the Year is a huge achievement that brings more awareness to their important work. Georgina is a past RACP Foundation recipient and it’s great to see where she is now.
Find out more
One of Australia's most celebrated Indigenous leaders, Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue AM, has died at 91 years old. The former Australian of the Year and Indigenous rights activist died peacefully with immediate family by her side, aged 91.
In the 1976 Australia Day Honours, Dr O'Donoghue became the first Aboriginal woman to be inducted into the new Order of Australia founded by the Labor Australian Commonwealth Government. The appointment, as a Member of the Order was in recognition of her work in the welfare field, and for service to the Aboriginal community in South Australia.
Dr O'Donoghue was a 1998 RACP Honorary Fellow, whose family says her legacy will live on through the work of the Lowitja O'Donoghue Foundation. The Lowitja Institute is a national research centre focusing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, established in January 2010 and named in honour of its patron.
Hear from a leading trio of international physicians and more at RACP Congress 2024
Get ready to immerse yourself in a dynamic RACP Congress 2024 program featuring an esteemed trio of international medical experts: Dr Camilla Kingdon, Dr Sarah Clarke, and Professor Neil Greenberg. Experience a power-packed program designed to enhance your professional journey and Fellows can earn CPD credits as you delve into sessions curated to expand upon your extensive knowledge.
Looking for more networking opportunities? We've got you covered. Connect with like-minded peers and other medical experts at an array of educational and social events where you can form meaningful connections. Read on for just some of the sessions you can look out for.
Here's just some of the highlights:
- swap the scrubs for sequins and suits at the Gala Dinner
- trainees, establish your career by presenting your research: hurry, abstract submissions close Friday, 16 February
- embark on an inspiring journey as we discuss Women in leadership
- rapid fire specialty society clinical updates
- hear from Professor Don Campbell in his session, Innovation in the midst of busyness: clinical practice and healthcare systems designs
- ask an expert on the matters that are important to you
Register now
The start of the year has already been a busy month, with the newly-developed 2024 Pre-Budget Submission to the Australian Government.
The Pre-Budget Submission aims to support the Australian Government in better addressing the needs of patients, improving the sustainability of our health system, and increasing the resilience of our natural environments. The Submission draws on the expertise and experience of College trainees and Fellows. It provides evidence-based recommendations to improve the operation of Medicare and broaden access to specialists. It also provides recommendations to help strengthen, support and distribute the specialist workforce, and reduce the many factors driving the substantial share of avoidable disease in our community, including climate related illnesses.
The Pre-Budget Submission will guide ongoing advocacy with law and policymakers, the media and other key stakeholders in the lead-up to the Budget on 14 May 2024. The goal is to work towards a more equitable, responsive and sustainable health system.
We thank all trainees, Fellows, Divisions, Faculties and Chapters who provided feedback in December and January. Your contribution has resulted in a member-led submission that reflects the core values and objectives of the College.
Read the Submission
The RACP works with you to deliver College policy and advocacy, committing to your health policy priorities, and amplifying your calls for change. With your support, we can make a difference. This is done through submissions to inquiries, strengthening government relations, developing RACP policy statements, making RACP representations to external bodies, speaking in the media, and leading advocacy campaigns.
As we commence the new year, we are reflecting on some of the successes achieved in 2023. Your expert input and feedback were key to driving focused engagement and to achieving change and positive outcomes.
Read more
Are you interested in redesigning the RACP’s Advanced Training curricula in line with RACP educational models and frameworks?
There are 16 specialties involved in Advanced Training Curricula Review Wave 3, and three ways to participate:
- submit an expression of interest to join a Curriculum Review Group (eligible for CPD hours)
- work with us as a specialist contractor to develop an initial draft of our proposed new curriculum (honorarium paid)
- provide feedback on our current training programs, which is an easy online form that should take less than 15 minutes to complete.
You are invited to provide feedback at this initial planning stage and we encourage you to share this request for member involvement with your professional networks. If you are not in a position to submit an EOI, you can still complete the feedback form to provide an honest review of our existing content, identify what might be missing and suggest where further changes and refinements might be required. EOIs and feedback form close on Wednesday, 21 February 2024.
Find out more
The Medical Board of Australia’s Medical Training Survey 2023 interactive dashboard is now live. Explore and compare results and topics local to your training setting or region. Training setting specific data is only available if 10 or more trainees responded. The RACP actively uses MTS results to drive enhancements within training settings and training programs. We also use it to develop strategic approaches that enhance our services and contribute to a positive shift in the culture of medicine. Further details about the survey can be found on the Medical Training Survey website.
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The Audit Curated Collection provides a range of information, ideas and tools to help you complete clinical and non-clinical audits which can be counted towards your MyCPD Category 3 requirements. It has been recently updated with improved guidance and resources, including a new FAQs page. New medication prescribing audit templates have also been added to assist users to review their prescribing practice. All audit templates within the collection can be modified to suit individual needs.
The Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology (ANZSN) is a not-for profit organisation representing the interests of health professionals committed to the prevention and treatment of kidney disease.
Through the ANZSN, members support a range of research, education and clinical care initiatives to promote evidenced based practice and quality outcomes for patients in Australia, New Zealand and our region.
Read the recommendations
As healthcare workers who dedicate our lives to helping others, it’s important to take the time to care for ourselves. We would like to remind everyone that it's okay to not be ok. If you need someone to talk to, you can reach out to the RACP Support Program. It's a free, 24/7 and completely confidential support service that is delivered externally through Converge International.
Whether you have something worrying on your mind, are finding getting out of bed to be a struggle, or just feel like talking to someone for helpful, judgement-free advice, this free support service may be just what you need.
Find out more
Whether you are a New Fellow, established within your career, or beginning to wind down for retirement, the RACP CPD Home can support you to meet your specialist regulatory requirements.
We have a long history as an accredited CPD provider within Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, and our MyCPD team are at hand to provide you with tailored guidance throughout the annual CPD cycle. Plus, your RACP membership means you can access the RACP Online Learning platform for a selection of tools and resources relevant to you throughout your career.
You have never stopped learning, we’re here to make sure that continues. My RACP. MyCPD Home.
Find out more
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