Record Number of Indigenous GP Registrars Fellow from RACGP

This year has seen the largest number of Indigenous GP registrars fellow from the Royal Australian College of General Practice. It was a historic moment at the Fellowship and Awards Ceremony last Wednesday, when, four of nine Aboriginal registrars who had succeeded in meeting the RACGP assessment requirements in 2013, were conferred with the Fellowship of the RACGP.

Larrakia Traditional Owner, Elder, new fellow and Indigenous GP Registrars Network (IGPRN) Chair, Dr Aleeta Fejo, offered her congratulations to her peers.“On behalf of our IGPRN brothers and sisters, I wish to convey how happy we are for them, and how immensely proud we are of their great work and achievement in passing the fellowship exams and graduating. Their success is a wonderful story and an inspiration not just for them, but for other Indigenous registrars, junior doctors and medical students across Australia. “Our registrars have shown great leadership in forging a pathway which we hope many more registrars will follow. We know that our registrars who have received their fellowship will continue to do great work to help our people improve our health."

Dr Fejo noted that all registrars have their own important story of the challenges they’ve faced and their determination to see themselves through to their goals.

"My own personal journey has been a challenge and I'd like to acknowledge the support that I've received from the Indigenous GP Registrar Network who have been with me on this journey."

Dr Fejo also noted the important role regional training providers (RTPs) play, “Whilst we do everything we can via the IGPRN to support our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander registrars, I would like to encourage RTPs to do everything they can to ensure their Indigenous registrars get over that line and get the pass mark that they need to fellow."

"We need RTPs to identify their Indigenous registrars, give them the support they need; cultural and academic, and ensure their safety. This is vital. They don’t need to be in an environment where there is racism or bullying. We need our registrars to pass and to pass well. Australia needs our registrars to pass and pass well."