The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners

New rules, new structure, new start

The passing of the new College rules at the Special General Meeting in February is a watershed for the organisation.

By adopting them we have addressed some major issues which, if not facing the College immediately, would have become apparent in the next few years.

At February’s Quality Symposium, I cited the College’s first President, Dr Paddy Delaney, the architect of the New Zealand College when it became ‘independent’ of the British College in 1973.

“As a College we will have many aims and objects and ideas, but they can all really be narrowed down to this; to make those of us who are in general practice better doctors, better general practitioners, to provide a stimulus to general practice, to attract to this part of the profession good potential general practitioners, and to provide for the continuing education of general practitioners. That is what the College is all about; perhaps a little more, but certainly nothing less.”

Broadly, this is still the purpose of the College, but nearly 40 years on from our establishment, it was clear that the old rules were out-of-date and did not allow the College the flexibility it needed to move forward. Importantly, and despite the changes, the new rules ensure we maintain our charitable status.

New structure

Perhaps the most visible change for members is the restructuring of the College’s governance structure. The new rules mean we can now adopt a more modern governance structure and a smaller representative governance body.

There will now be a Board, with a President and six members, and a National Advisory Council which will liaise between the Board and membership.

Three board members will be elected by the membership, one appointed by Te Akoranga a Maui and two positions will be available for external board members. These people, appointed by the board, do not have to be College members which allows us to get skilled people from outside general practice, for example from the business community, to give us fresh perspectives and advice on the way we operate.

The National Advisory Council comprises a member from every faculty, all chapters and Te Akoranga a Maui. The Chief Executive will hold a non-voting ex officio position on the Council, and chairs of expert advisory groups can also be appointed. The Council will advise the Board on College Member's concerns.

We have also created College Chapters based on major national areas of practice where these groups are more than special interest groups and are of sufficient significance to justify more formal representation. The Chapters include a Rural General Practitioners’ Chapter, a Rural Hospital Generalists’ Chapter and an Associates and Members in Training Chapter.

To acknowledge the College’s commitment to Maori health, Te Akoranga a Maui, the Maori faculty, will appoint a member to the College Board and have representation on the National Advisory Council.

We have also streamlined our membership categories. We have kept the Member category and introduced Associate in Training and Associate in Practice membership categories. The Affiliate membership category has been disestablished.

So what happens next?

An election will be held for the three elected board member places, with nominations to be called for in April and May 2012, and an election held in July 2012. The new members will take up their positions after this year’s AGM which is scheduled for September during our annual conference. I will remain President until my current terms finishes in September 2013.

At the end of the day, clause 19.2 of the new rules is the one that should always guide the Board’s thinking – “The Board is accountable to College Members”.

Personally, I am pleased the College has adopted the new rules and I believe the College has made the correct decision. It has been a long and complex process with much consultation, but by adopting the new rules, we will have more flexibility to adapt to today's environment and be more agile, responsive and adaptable to face the challenges of the future.

The new rules in a nutshell

• New, streamlined governance structure
• National Advisory Council will liaise between the Board and membership
• College Chapters established based on major national areas of practice
• Associate in Training and Associate in Practice membership categories introduced.

Harry Pert
President, RNZCGP