New President of RACGP

Western Australian GP, Adjunct Associate Professor Frank Jones was today announced President-elect of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and has vowed to place general practice at the heart of public dialogue.

Following a 4-week election period, A/Prof Jones will take over the prestigious role from current RACGP President, Dr Liz Marles, whose 2-year term comes to an end in October.

A/Prof Jones is a staunch advocate for general practice and is committed to raising the profile of GPs’ role within the Australian healthcare system.

RACGP President-elect, A/Prof Jones said one of his first priorities is to continue the RACGP’s efforts to address the profession and public’s concerns surrounding the proposed $7 co-payment for general practice services outlined in the recent Federal budget.

“It is now a month since the Federal Budget was announced and anxiety over rising out-of-pocket healthcare costs and the removal of a universal healthcare system continues to increase.

“The general practice community looks to the RACGP for leadership on this issue and we have a responsibility to represent the concerns of our members and the profession at large.

“I am determined to continue the RACGP’s advocacy on this issue and to lobby for an amended and enhanced arrangement that does not force GPs to absorb the cost of vulnerable patients and that protects Australian patients who already face numerous barriers to accessing healthcare,” said A/Prof Jones.

A/Prof Jones has over 30 year’s clinical experience in rural and regional general practice and is committed to ensuring a sustainable and well-resourced general practice profession through strong leadership.

“The profession is in the midst of very uncertain times and strong leadership, reflective of member opinion, is now more critical than ever. Stakeholders should recognise the RACGP as a vibrant solution based organisation.

“We must safeguard the role of GPs, as the clinical gatekeepers to a quality healthcare system,” said A/Prof Jones.

The RACGP congratulates A/Prof Jones on his election and look forward to working with him to help shape the future landscape of general practice in Australia