Personal statement
Primary Care is rapidly changing. The profession is at a critical juncture and requires clear strategic direction into the future. I believe that I am well placed to lead this in the role of College President.
The College needs to be proactive and initiate positive change within primary care. By doing so we will achieve the outcomes that we in General Practice feel are important and beneficial to our patients and practice.
Four areas underpin the future for me:
- Clear focussed leadership based on promoting the value of General Practitioners to the community and central government
- Ensuring an expanding supply of highly trained, fit for purpose, General Practitioners to service future needs
- Striving to eliminate health inequity in the NZ health system
- Ensuring high professional standards
The College is there to serve its membership. As doctors who work in the community, we have an impact on our patients’ lives every day and are committed and hard working. It is important that we are well supported in this by a united professional body, who cares not only for our younger doctors but also for our longer serving practitioners.
The College should aim to lead. I believe it must be at the forefront in advocating for us as clinical leaders and experts in community medicine.
I have been a frontline GP working in both rural and urban areas, been a practice owner and a salaried employee. I have extensive national and local leadership experience and have run a successful consultancy business outside of medicine.
I have spent the past 12 years working in a high deprivation practice in Cannons Creek, Porirua as a GP and board member. Previous to this I was the owner of a practice in rural South Australia which provided both GP & hospital services. Having graduated from Otago, I am a fellow of the RNZCGP & Australian College of Rural & Remote Medicine. I am a GP registrar teacher and examiner.
My governance experience includes being Chairman of the Wellhealth Trust PHO, Board member of Tu Ora Compass PHO and Chairman of the VLCA Council. I have also been a member of the executive of the CCDHB District Health Board, Chairman of the Alliancing Leadership Team and at a national level, Medical Director of Primary Care at PHARMAC. I have been a part of and contributed to all levels of the health system.
I believe I have both the hands on practical and strategic governance experience to lead the College as President.
To see a full list of candidates, view the 2018 Presidential Election Candidates webpage.