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).
-
Sharing the same goals in value-based procurement
Value-based procurement (VBP) is a journey, not a sprint. It’s about putting the patient at the centre of quality affordable healthcare through changes in procurement practices for medical technologies. Patient outcomes drive value and sustainability, not just price. The bigger picture indicates that VBP will create system cost saving through benefitting patients, rather than trying to attain the reverse – a win-win outcome.
-
Enriching experiences in nursing mentorship
Mentoring in nursing is crucial for the development of nurses and the advancement of the nursing profession. It provides a supportive environment for personal and professional growth, knowledge transfer, and leadership development.
Australian Health Journal met with two nurses both working in Queensland, one the mentor, the other, the mentee. Both get to appreciate the experiences mentorship gives them.
-
The Northernmost Pharmacist in Australia
Carli Berrill is a Co-Owner and Pharmacist of two pharmacies in Far North Queensland, including one on Thursday Island in Torres Strait, which is the most northern pharmacy in Australia.
Her role with the Thursday Island Pharmacy is to provide essential health and pharmacy services to 15 communities, including remote islands south of Papua New Guinea. The role for the community is the important ‘constant’ in being a trusted and familiar healthcare professional.
