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- RCGP inaugurates Companion of the College Award
RCGP inaugurates Companion of the College Award
Publication date: 08 January 2013
(L-R Dr Steve Mowle, Vice-Chair RCGP; Dr Helen Stokes-Lampard, Honorary Treasurer RCGP ; Prof. Clare Gerada, Chair of Council RCGP; His Majesty The Sultan of Brunei; Dr Iona Heath, Immediate past President RCGP; Prof. Nigel Mathers, Vice-Chair RCGP)
Photo by Justin Grainge Photography
His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei has become the first recipient of the new ‘Companion of the College’ Award, established to mark the RCGP’s 60th anniversary.
He received the award in a special ceremony at the RCGP’s new headquarters at 30 Euston Square.
The Award has been established to recognise the contribution of individuals of significant standing who have supported the College in furthering its charitable objectives. A Companion of the College will have demonstrated commitment to the development of the College and to primary care in the UK or worldwide.
His Majesty the Sultan was presented with the award for his longstanding support of the RCGP’s work to provide primary healthcare in Brunei.
He has championed improvements in healthcare both in Brunei and across the ASEAN region. His National Health Care Plan 2000-2010 gave the people of Brunei access to primary care through the development of a family medical service. This remains a priority in his Vision 2035 and Health Strategy, which focuses on promoting excellence in professional standards and continuing professional development, principles akin to those of the RCGP.
The College has been working in partnership with senior medical leaders in Brunei since 2003 to help develop and continuously improve family medicine examinations at the Universitii Brunei Darussalam (UBD).
Using the expertise of College members, the RCGP accredits the Family Medicine exam in Brunei and doctors who pass this exam are entitled to become international members of RCGP (MRCGP[INT]). This work is helping to build strong primary care systems in Brunei to improve outcomes for patients.
Brunei has pioneered the RCGP Sponsorship Scheme with the GMC using the Medical Training Initiative which is a Higher Specialist Training programme open to MRCGP[INT] members. Brunei sent the first two international members to undertake this additional training in the UK in 2011. There are currently four MRCGP[INT] Brunei colleagues in the UK.
His Majesty has also made a significant donation to the College’s fundraising appeal and the new 300 seater auditorium at 30 Euston Square, centrepiece of the College’s conference facilities has been named in his honour.
RCGP Immediate Past President Dr Iona Heath, who helped forge the College’s links with Brunei, said:
“Family medicine is at the heart of His Majesty’s vision, establishing it as a crucial resource for the frontline delivery of healthcare that echoes the role of general practice in the UK.”
Further Information
RCGP Press office - 020 3188 7574/7575/7576
Out of hours: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk
Notes to editor
The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 46,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.