Next week’s WONCA global conference in Sydney is an important event for GPs Worldwide to gather and share knowledge, particularly regarding primary care practices in different countries, and to address challenges in workforce and funding in healthcare systems.
Over 3000 delegates from around the World will gather at the 50th celebration of WONCA to reconnect and revive General Practice, sharing knowledge and learnings on access, equity, funding, and multidisciplinary care teams. This includes networking with Australian and overseas GPs and in particular learning about primary care practices in other countries.
The WONCA 2023 World Conference in Sydney is hosted by The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) . RACGP is the voice of general practitioners (GPs) across cities and throughout rural and remote Australia. For more than 60 years, the organisation has supported the backbone of Australia’s health system by setting the standards for education and practice and advocating for better health and wellbeing for all Australians.
Australian Health Journal met with Dr Nicole Higgins, President of RACGP in transit at Brisbane Airport recently and she spoke about the $6 Billion allocated in the Federal Budget in May as a significant achievement for General Practice investment. She also emphasised this announcement reinforced GPs should be at the centre of multidisciplinary care teams to ensure continuity of care and better health outcomes.
Dr Higgins also spoke about the new Commonwealth Government led Scope of Practice review being crucial for General Practice to address the challenges of workforce and funding in the primary healthcare system.
Dr Higgins describes WONCA as the FIFA World Cup of General Practice! And that Australian doctors are excited about the upcoming WONCA conference being held at the Sydney ICC between the 26th to 29th of October. The same conference will include GP23 as the RACGP yearly gathering of Australian GPs.
About WONCA
WONCA is an acronym comprising of the first five initials of the World Organisation of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of General Practitioners/Family Physicians. WONCA’s short name is World Organisation of Family Doctors. It is a not-for-profit organisation with 132 member organisations in 110 countries and territories, with membership of around 500,000.
WONCA represents and advocates for its constituent members at an international level where it interacts with world bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO).
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Recognising service in health regulation
In April 2023, Professor John Skerritt retired from his position of Deputy Secretary Health Products Regulation Group, a role he has been in since 2012. During his time at the TGA he had line responsibility for over 1200 staff involved in the regulation of therapeutic goods, regulation of gene technology and industrial chemicals and control of drug import, export and production.
At this year’s ARCS 2023 Conference, ARCS Australia CEO Dr Shanny Dyer paid tribute to Professor Skerritt and his service to the Australian health industry. She led a tribute with fellow industry heads, Elizabeth de Somer, CEO, Medicines Australia, Anne Harris, Managing Director, Pfizer Australia & New Zealand, Deon Schoombie, CEO, Consumer Healthcare Products Australia, Ian Burgess, CEO, Medical Technology Association of Australia and Arthur Brandwood, President ARCS Australia.
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Smart wearable technology recognised for improving quality of life
Nurses have a pivotal role to play in the widespread implementation and adoption of digital health technologies throughout the healthcare sector for the primary purpose of improving safety and quality of patient care.
Australian Health Journal talked to two of Australian top leaders in nursing and in digital health on how the role of nursing is pivotal to the success of digital health in the Australian health system.
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Role of the Chief Nursing Officer
Professor Alison McMillan PSM spoke with Australian Health Journal about the role of Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer at the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.
Alison was appointed as our Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer in November 2019.
In June 2021 Alison was awarded a Public Service Medal for outstanding public service to driving the Government’s national health response priorities during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly to infection prevention measures.
