The Chairman - One Year On...
It is hard to believe
that almost a year has passed since I became chairman of the
Northern Ireland council. As we all know, we are in the midst
of a major process of change in many areas of our working lives. In
Northern Ireland we have the Review of Public Administration (RPA)
with all the associated ramifications for our health and social
services structures here. Nationally there are changes in training
and regulation that will culminate in the soon to be introduced
process of revalidation. All this can create uncertainty and even
anxiety as we consider the challenges that confront us personally
and as a profession.
One of the privileges of
being chairman is the opportunity to attend many meetings and so
get an overview of all that is happening. Clearly and
appropriately the underlying drivers for change are value for money
and quality of patient service.
Recently I was reading
about the expression “The survival of the fittest”. This expression
is often attributed to Charles Darwin and, although it appears in
the fifth edition of his Origin of Species, 1869, it is
there attributed to Herbert Spencer: Interestingly the article
stated that by “fittest”, Spencer and Darwin did not have in mind
the commonly used meaning of the word now, i.e. the most highly
trained or physically energetic. The “fittest” referred to those
organisms which are the most suited to their environment, i.e.
those which are best fitted to survive, most adaptable or most
flexible.
I believe that as GPs we
are flexible and that we can adapt to any given environment
effectively, efficiently and appropriately. RCGP (NI), the Northern
Ireland council of RCG
P, has been actively
engaged in looking to the future. Nationally we have been involved
in shaping the revalidation process and the debate around
“federations of practices”. Locally we have been strengthening
relationships with other organisations, most notably the General
practitioner Committee (GPC) of BMA. This relationship has
produced “The Future of General practice in Northern Ireland –
promoting general practice 2008-2118” document. I would commend
this to you and ask that you consider it and comment on
it.
RCGP (NI) has also been
looking at ways of making ourselves more representative of and
relevant to every GP in the province. We believe that in
years to come this relationship will become ever more important.
This is your college and we want to encourage your involvement and
seek your support. On this note I would like to invite you to
our AGM, details on the attached letter. Our guest will be Prof.
Steve Field, the UK chairman of RCGP. Please do come along and hear
more about all of the above.
It has been said, "true
excellence is a constant and endless journey - it is not a
destination”. During my first year as chairman I have seen how
general practitioners throughout Northern Ireland have shown a
commitment to that ongoing journey towards total quality and
excellence in the pursuit of the best possible care for our
patients.
RCGP (NI) look forward to
strengthening our relationship with you and supporting you on your
journey.
Dr. David Johnston MSc FRCGP
Chairman RCGP NI