Dear Chris,
Thank you for continuing to send me hoolet. You ask in hoolet why there was such a poor turnout at the 50th anniversary lecture, which is the same as asking why the College is not central to the professional of the GP as it is, say, in New Zealand. And it isn't.
There is an answer. When I came into General Practice I was a member of another college (RCOG) which was central to the life of gynaecologists, all of whom were members and had to be, which set standards and entrance examinations and published a quality peer reviewed journal. The RCGP in contrast was and is peripheral to the life of the GP. The reason for this is surely that the founding fathers missed their chance when the college was formed. They went for exclusivity instead of a general membership and for some reason ceded the GP qualification test to the universities. They were seen as a bunch of GP snobs by the rank and file. Had they enrolled every GP as a member and taken on the rest on completion of their "Trainee" year they would have been in a very strong position to represent all the interests of the GP including the setting of standards. Instead they went for an exam which was then not held in high regard. (It was crap).
I have managed for 28 years as a GP and a GP Trainer without being a member, and I have no sense of having missed anything. Am I wrong? Just think what I might have contributed as a member - the mind boggles. Too late now, I'm off. I would have enjoyed Per Fugelli’s lecture, I always liked that sort of thing and as a past president of the medical student association in Belfast and a member of the BMSA student committee and the Irish MSA committee simultaneously I have been to a few such bashes. (Snob that I am). As you head for retirement your past life passes before you. What might have been? What have I missed out on? A hell of a lot, but not I think, membership of the RCGP. Good luck to those who strive to make it work. It should do, but I fear the founding fathers created original sin and the ethos lingers on.
Ken Hambly,
Medical Director,
Stress Education Services Ltd.,
Lochridge, Stewarton, KA3 5LH.
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