Partner in focus: Georgina van de Water, CEO of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

We spoke with Georgina van de Water, CEO of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, who explains the College’s vision and recent innovations.

Article submitted by: Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)

What is the vision of the RACGP?

At the core of Australia’s complex healthcare system is a simple truth: patients have superior health outcomes when cared for by a GP who knows them and their history. Our vision is to ensure all patients, irrespective of postcode or income have continuity of care, so that they can access the care they need, when they need it.

We’re advocating every day for GPs, practice teams, and the patients they care for so that general practice is always front of mind for the nation’s leaders. General practice care relieves pressure on the entire health system and keeps patients out of hospital.

General practice is poised for a significant transformation in the years ahead, driven by technological advancements and evolving healthcare models. Our patients will expect more from us, and so they should. I see a bright future ahead with so many opportunities to take advantage of. By leveraging technological innovations, general practice care will become more integrated with other healthcare providers, improving coordination and delivering better healthcare for our patients.

To not only survive, but thrive, the profession will need to adapt and innovate, and continue to provide high-quality, accessible care to all patients. As the healthcare landscape evolves, general practice must remain at the heart of Australia’s healthcare system, with GPs and practice teams serving as the trusted, continuous point of contact for patients throughout their lives.

By driving to secure the future of general practice care, the College is determined to improve the health and wellbeing of patients in communities across Australia. We are determined to achieve strong and meaningful healthcare reform so that all patients can access high-quality care from a GP who they know and trust. That means boosting investment in general practice care, including increasing patient rebates for longer consults.

Six-minute medicine just isn’t the answer. Whether it’s helping someone experiencing intimate partner violence, or a young person with serious mental health concerns, or a patient doing their best to manage multiple, chronic conditions like diabetes and asthma — general practice care takes time.

By promoting collaboration, integrating new technology, and advocating for ongoing access and equity, we aim to redefine the patient experience and ensure quality GP care is always available, regardless of location or circumstance.

What are some of the challenges you face?

In 2025, Australia’s healthcare system faces numerous challenges, and backing general practice care is the key to resolving many of them so that no patients miss out.

Shifting patient demographics, new technologies, and funding pressures present both challenges and opportunities.

The increasing cost of delivering high-quality general practice care is an ongoing challenge for GPs looking to balance access with keeping the doors open.

This issue is exacerbated by the complexity of presentations associated with an ageing population, combined with higher demand for mental health care, which is placing pressure on GPs as these consultations need more time to be managed properly. It’s imperative general practice receives greater support to deliver this care in a way that doesn’t negatively affect access.

Meanwhile, changes to scope of practice could also lead to fragmented and poorly coordinated patient care. Extending the scope of some healthcare professionals may seem like a quick and easy fix, but there is no substitute for the quality care a patient receives from their regular GP. The invaluable expertise and longitudinal care of specialist GPs and Rural Generalists significantly enhance the multidisciplinary team’s ability to effectively address the increasingly complex health needs of the patient population, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes.

The work of a good GP often goes unnoticed, as much of their efforts are dedicated to preventing serious problems before they emerge, managing complex chronic disease and keeping people well.

We believe general practice should be properly resourced, valued, and empowered to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care across every community. We’re the key to easing the strain on our entire healthcare system, including our already under-pressure hospitals.

Can you explain one of your organisation's recent innovations?

We are developing a network of GP advocates to build long-term relationships with local representatives in their community.

The goal is to ensure Australia’s elected officials understand the issues our members and their patients face. We want them to fully appreciate the immense value GPs and practice teams bring to their communities. After all, GPs and practice teams are needed by their communities more than ever before.

If something is holding our GPs and practice teams back from providing the best possible care to patients in their community, we want elected representatives at all levels of government to not only be aware of what is happening but to act decisively to back our GPs and practice teams. This way, GPs can get on with the job of doing what they do best — providing the highest standard of patient care every day. We want to have GP advocates across the country armed with strong, evidence-based solutions to combat the problems impacting the health and wellbeing of patients.

What is most valuable about your partnership with Healthdirect Australia?

Healthdirect provides evidence-based advice to millions of Australians through its helpline and website. As a member of Healthdirect’s Information Partner network since 2019, we know this information and advice is enhanced by resources and guidelines from the RACGP and many other trusted organisations.

Our organisations both strive for the same health and wellbeing outcomes for patients, and by working together, we enhance the value we can both provide as individual organisations.