HAWKINS Medical Clinic has been thrown into the national spotlight after clinching “general practice of the year” for 2019.
The clinic – the largest in the region – claimed the joint accolade at the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) national conference.
This national win comes on the heels of the clinic being named the South Australian and Northern Territory general practice of the year earlier this year.
It is only the second time since 2000 that a South Australian practice has won the national award.
This award is considered to be the most prestigious practice award available within the nation’s general practice fraternity.
Hawkins Medical Clinic spokesperson Dr Scott Milan said yesterday he was pleased the practice secured the national award.
He said the practice was recognised for its long history of continuous and committed service to the Mount Gambier community since 1947.
“The medical clinic was also awarded a commitment to excellence, which included early applicant and recipient of practice accreditation according to best standards,” Dr Milan said.
“The practice has a long history of teaching medical students, interns and registrars, which are doctors in training.”
He said the clinic also undertook peer group quality assessment including internal audits of doctor performance against recognised quality criteria to facilitate continuous improvement.
Provision of ongoing obstetric services to the Mount Gambier community and “cradle to grave” GP service provision also form part of clinic’s gamut of services, including paediatric, emergency and aged care facilities.
“Hawkins is especially recognised for the fact that a Flinders University student is able to spend final clinical training years in the practice and then move on to internship, residency and GP training within the Mount Gambier environment,” Dr Milan said.
“Very few places in rural Australia are able to offer such a program and it provides a route to qualification with respect to the rural workforce without having to return to the city environs.
“Hawkins would also like to acknowledge the great support from the many patients of the clinic who are prepared to see a doctor in training; this clinical exposure is invaluable to junior doctors and is a major reason the award was received.”
The RACGP Practice of the Year Award trophy will be officially awarded in Brisbane early next year.
Training organisation GPEx – which delivers training to doctors elected to specialise in general practice in Australia – commended Hawkins for its win.
“GPs cross rural South Australia are the best in the nation,” GPEx chief executive Christine Cook said.
“While the shortage of GPs is well documented, South Australia is leading the way in training, with our registrars supported by a network of supervisors based in clinics across the state.”
