Cromwell-based Doctor, David Beaumont, has won the Primary Care category in the British Medical Association’s
prestigious book awards for his book Positive Medicine: Disrupting the Future of Medical Practice published by Oxford University Press.
Dr David Beaumont
The British Medical Association (BMA) medical book awards take place annually to recognise outstanding contributions to
medical literature. This year, they had over 300 books and other resources submitted to the BMA from publishers around
the globe.
Dr. David Beaumont has spent many years working in the health system — both here and in the UK. In Positive Medicine, Dr. David Beaumont calls for a radical shift in the health care system and in the health of New Zealanders. He gives
practical advice and provides an accessible, challenging, thought provoking view of how medical practice needs to change
to become person-focused.
“I am so thrilled to hear the news of becoming a 2022 BMA Award winner for my book Positive Medicine: Disrupting the Future of Medical Practice. Positive Medicine is a personal account of a journey that has inspired me to go beyond the clinic and enter the wider world of patients
where mind, body, family, and spirit coexist. It is a journey that not only has relevance for all New Zealanders, but
for the wider world, so it is significant to have the value acknowledged by the industry.”
This year’s BMA medical book awards has 15 different categories, Positive Medicine is the winner in the Primary Care genre. The preliminary evaluations in each category are reviewed by awards judging
panels. The panels select category winners for their applicability to the target audience, production quality, and
originality.
“We found it thought-provoking, challenging conventional thinking without seeking to debunk all conventional wisdom,’
says the judging panel. “Every chapter was interesting and different, and the anecdotal style meant the reader was
engaged throughout. The book explains how we can help people manage illness and disease, and to enhance their own
health. It is a refreshing insight into modern medical thinking.”
The BMA medical book awards The BMA Medical Book Awards are designed to celebrate and commend outstanding contributions
to medical literature.
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For more information or an interview with Dr David Beaumont, please contact Rebecca Simpson at Fantail Communications on rebeccca@fantailcommunications.co.nz or 021 955 942.About the BMA Awards:
The British Medical Association (BMA) is the trade union and professional body for doctors in the UK. The BMA represents
all UK doctors and BMA members use their expertise to evaluate the books.
BMA medical book awards reviewers have a key role in advising on the quality and suitability of the applications. Over
170 expert reviewers supported the process, providing structured reviews which ensure the clinical credibility of the
awards.About Dr David Beaumont:
Dr. David is a Consultant Occupational Physician and author. He trained and practiced in the United Kingdom, before
moving to general practice in New Zealand. He went on to become a Consultant Occupational Physician, helping people
return to the workplace after a serious condition, injury or illness. Dr. Beaumont resides in Cromwell and works as a
specialist doctor in the health of workers. He has assessed and advised thousands of people who have been ‘let down’ by
healthcare systems and not returned to work, experiencing years or a lifetime of disability. From stories his clients
have shared with him, and his own experience of ill health — including a heart attack, hip replacements and depression —
he came to realise that there needs to be a shift in emphasis to preventative health. He is focused on seeing people in
the context of their whole lives.
Dr. Beaumont is former President of the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, RACP, and sat
on the Board of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. He believes that the answer to healthcare system change
lies in the creation of a movement that is a collaboration between patients and doctors. The future of medical practice
lies beyond the doctor-patient relationship, in a person-doctor partnership. Together, we should be able to choose what
is best for our own health, not be swept along (or forgotten) by systems.