College of GPs appoints first Medical Director

College of GPs appoints first Medical Director

The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners has appointed Dr Samantha (Sam) Murton as its first Medical Director, the College’s CEO, Helen Morgan-Banda, announced today.

Dr Murton is an experienced general practitioner and a Fellow of the College; she is currently the National Clinical Leader for GPEP Year 1 and the Postgraduate Generalist Placement Programme.

In 1994, Dr Murton was involved in establishing Capital Care Health Centre in Wellington, which is a charitable trust. Dr Murton is also a Board member of the trust and has practiced as a GP there since 1998.

‘The Medical Director’s role is to provide additional clinical leadership and expertise for the College on a variety of issues complementing the clinical leadership already provided by the College President and Fellows on the College Board,’ said College President, Dr Tim Malloy.

‘Dr Murton’s clinical input will supplement work the College Board and other clinicians are already providing, giving us valuable extra resource during a time of significant change for general practice.

‘A lot of change is occurring in the primary health sector, with growing demand for clinical input on many issues. Over time, Sam will take some of the pressure off Board members and others who work for the College in addition to their full-time GP roles, said Dr Malloy.

Ms Morgan-Banda said Dr Murton will transition from her current clinical leader roles to the Medical Director from 1 July, initially at two tenths each week working up to five tenths over a period of time, and will continue to practice as a GP.

‘I look forward to Sam becoming part of the College’s Senior Management Team and working with us on behalf of our members to improve outcomes for them and general practice as a whole,’ she said.

www.rnzcgp.org.nz

ENDS

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