Benefits

When doctors start their training to become specialist GPs (urban or rural) or rural hospital doctors, they become members of The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners. Each year our members pay a subscription fee, which gives them several membership benefits.

A collective sense of purpose

Our members have a shared sense of purpose and experiences and an unspoken understanding of the situations they encounter daily. This shared collegiality and networking is most often played out in our Chapters and Faculties where members meet locally, or online, for socialising and education.

The College also facilitates peer groups for GPs and rural hospital doctors who are professionally interested in similar topics.

Our members also have the chance to develop their leadership skills by being representatives on the National Advisory Council, applying to become the Board Apprentice, or being nominated to the Board.

Ongoing learning

Supporting your learning 
Fellows have access to Te Whanake, the College’s CPD programme, which lets them log their learning to comply with the Medical Council of New Zealand’s recertification requirements for medical practitioners. Our in-house team supports members with their learning requirements.

McGraw Hill including John Murtagh’s General Practice Collection
The College gives free access to the international publishing company McGraw Hill for Fellows and registrars. You will have full access to the AccessMedicine catalogue and the John Murtagh’s General Practice Collection as part of your College membership.  Members can claim one CME credit per learning hour. Gain access to McGraw Hill (College login required).

LinkedIn Learning
All members have free access to LinkedIn Learning and can claim one CME credit per learning hour. Please register to gain access and a member of the College team will be in touch to get you started.

CME Events 
Faculties (and other organisations) facilitate Continuing Medical Education (CME) events on a regular basis at a local level. These also provide an opportunity to network with peers.

Dr Josh Furmin GPEP year 1 in 2021
Dr Josh Furmin is a registrar and part of the Rural GP Chapter, DRHM, and Te Akoranga a Māui.

Clear, topical information and research

The latest news and clinical advice to your inbox
Our communications team pulls together, and streamlines, the latest clinical advice, news, thinking, and information from the industry and sends it to members as ePulse, our weekly newsletter. Only members can access this newsletter, although you can apply to be added to our stakeholder's version of the newsletter.

We profile members and cover topics like clinical opinions, equity, and rural issues in our monthly news round-up, GP Pulse.

Clear information about legislative changes that affect clinical work 
When the Government introduces new rules it can affect how our members do their jobs. Our Policy, Advocacy, and Insights team work to provide resources for members on topics like telehealth, tobacco, and euthanasia. Those can be found in Our Voice.

The College writes position statements to guide what we think about key issues and develops resources for members like our guides on Self Care, General Practice Ownership, and Greening General Practice.

The chance to talk directly to decision makers 
Using our reputation, we help our members get in front of decision makers through events like webinars. They’re always free for members who can get real-time information and give feedback and ask questions to people like the Director-General of Health, or international health experts.

Journal of Primary Health Care (JPHC)
Receive the latest issue of the College’s peer-reviewed quarterly journal in your inbox. The Journal is free and open access and shares the latest primary healthcare research for GPs, practice nurses, community pharmacists and other primary health care practitioners. JPHC is indexed in the MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL databases. Read the Journal of Primary Health Care or submit your research.

Professor David Tipene-Leach
Professor David Tipene-Leach speaks at GP21.

Contribution to a stronger, shared voice

All College members have the chance to contribute their ideas and experiences to our responses to Government submissions and raise issues with the College that they want to advocate for. Members have a chance to contribute to the work of the College through the Workforce Survey, the development of position statements, and by working on projects like telehealth, climate change, and understanding burnout.

Member’s subscriptions also help fund the role of the College president and medical director who are the voice of the profession to other organisations, government agencies, and through the media work they do.

Your wellbeing and care 

Supporting your wellness and mental health
All College registrars and Fellows can use free, confidential EAP Services where you can access clinical psychologists, budget and financial advisors, legal advisors, and other professionals. To book, call 0800 327 669 (international number +64 9 353 0906) and mention The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners.

Counselling and support by GPs for members
The College has developed a list of GPs offering specialist counselling for their GP and rural hospital doctor colleagues. These services are not funded by the College but we’re happy to share contact details if you email communications@rnzcgp.org.nz

Wellbeing support for Pasifika GPs
The College partners with Le Va to bring Fatu o le Ola, a Pacific approach to wellbeing, to our Pasifika GPs. Le Va brings a unique offering of evidence-based and co-designed resources, tools and knowledge with culturally robust content to best serve Pasifika communities.

Dr Justine Lancaster and Dr Aimee Norman
Dr Justine Lancaster (left) and Dr Aimee Norman speak to their colleagues about wellbeing.

Savings

Membership Discount App
We partner with CSC Buying Group to deliver discounts from well-known brands.

Discounts on McGraw-Hill Medical Books
Receive a 20 percent discount off McGraw-Hill medical books and free shipping in New Zealand for orders over $40.

Best pricing at New Zealand Office Supplies
Access exclusive member-only pricing, special offers and free delivery with NXP (was New Zealand Office Supplies).

Savings at Millenium Hotels and Resorts
Enjoy 20 percent off at all Millennium Hotels and Resort in New Zealand.

New Zealand Doctor subscription deals 
New Zealand Doctor is a medical news publication providing up-to-date news in print and online, aimed primarily at GPs and primary care. Registrars enrolled in the General Practice Education Programme  receive a complimentary print and online subscription to the publication (valued at more than $210 + GST), and Fellows receive a discounted subscription rate. Visit the New Zealand Doctor website to subscribe.

CSIRO Publishing 
College members receive 20 percent off books ordered through their website.

Discounts on advertising jobs
Members enjoy discounted rates on listing job ads on the College website. The member rate is $75 whereas non-members pay $320.

Cheaper rates to attend the College conference
College members belong to Faculties and Chapters that often promote attendance at the College’s conference through discounts and cheaper rates for their members.

Dr Roimata Herman-Sila
Dr Roimata Herman-Sila graduated at the 2022 Fellowship Ceremony in Ōtautahi, Christchurch