Rural General Practice Network to continue with conference

Mindful of the recent tragedy and aftermath of February 22’s Christchurch earthquake and weighing up the implications of holding a national conference so soon after the event, the New Zealand Rural General Practice Network believes that the best way to show support for its Canterbury colleagues and the wider Canterbury community is and its programme of speakers, workshops and social events.

To date all registrants, speakers and exhibitors have confirmed their availability to attend and registrations continue to grow. A strong line-up of keynote speakers, presenters and workshops along with a full contingent of exhibitors and a full social programme are hallmarks of this year’s event.

The theme is “Family Matters: Supporting rural general practice, rural communities, practitioners and their families”. The conference will be held from March 17-20 at the Wellington Convention Centre (Michael Fowler Centre). Keynote speakers include Celia Lashlie, chief nurse Jane O’Malley, roving locum Dr Richard McCubbin and his partner Deb, while Minister of Health Tony Ryall will lead the political session on Friday, March 18. This session will feature a Question and Answer forum and will be broadcast to several sites around New Zealand courtesy of Mobile Surgical Services.

Thursday, March 17 features pre-conference workshops and meetings. The official welcome function will be held on the evening of Friday, March 18. The recipient of this year’s Peter Snow Memorial Award will be announced at the function. Members of the Farry family will also give an update on the Pat Farry Rural Education Trust set up in honour of the late Dr Pat Farry who died suddenly while on locum duty in Twizel in October 2009.

Trio A Due – a German-based singing duo led by Dr Almut Seebeck (soprano) and supported by Felicitas Weyer (mezzo soprano and piano) - will perform at the welcome function. Trio A Due is critically acclaimed having performed all over Germany and a burgeoning international career has taken them all over Europe, Asia and Australia. They received the inaugural award of the German Niggemann Foundation for talented artists.

The conference’s main social evening will be held on Saturday night and will have a more relaxed format this year. Sunday will feature an open forum and the chance for Network members to air some issues affecting rural health.

The conference has been endorsed by The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners (RNZCGP).

ENDS

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