There are leaders and there are leaders. For many years we have seen a systematic under funding and under recognition of the role of General Practice in the broader health system. As General Practitioners we know that an effective and efficient health system is underpinned by strong Primary Care. Health is a complex business and complex problems have complex solutions, yet time and time again we see simplistic solutions put forward as answers to complex problems.

General Practice leadership needs a robust understanding of the broader health system. New models of care and the funding systems to support this redesign will need to be developed. More of the same is not working now and will not work into the future. Dr Hespe's broad based experience in health care, from her roles as a coal face GP, through to her roles at a PHN level and working with departments of health are the foundational elements we need for change. She has the understanding of systems of care from the ground up and the technology and funding models to support this that is needed. Having worked with Dr Hespe at multiple levels, I can say she has the vision to see what is needed and the strength and will to push this through.

Dr Kean-Seng Lim, Immediate past president AMANSW, RACGP GP of the Year 2015

I was delighted when Charlotte told me she would stand in this year’s election for RACGP President – not because she is a trusted colleague of many years’ standing (which she is), but because she is so well equipped for this demanding role at a time of unprecedented challenge.

What would Charlotte bring to the role of RACGP President?

• a longstanding commitment to quality in general practice, and to appropriate recognition and recompense for quality – developed over many years as a practice principal

• a deep understanding of general practice from multiple perspectives: GP, practice owner, educator, academic and director across college, PHN and RTP environments

• expertise in the necessity for, and nature of health system reforms that will benefit patients and communities while building general practice quality, capability and financial viability;

• proven leadership and advocacy at local, state and national level, with the ability to engage and activate colleagues, and to influence decision makers in government;

• a depth of board-level governance experience combined with strategic capabilities across multiple organisations, often under challenging circumstances; and

• lastly and importantly, a deep understanding of the college - with all its strengths and weaknesses, a track record of fighting for good governance, and a clear vision of how best to take the college and its membership forward in 2021-23.

I hope you will agree with me that this is an unusual and ideal combination of experiences and expertise to lead the college in these challenging times, and will support Charlotte’s candidacy.

Diana O’Halloran AO, Chair, WentWest – the WS PHN, Conjoint Professor, UWS

I’m honoured to endorse Associate Professor Charlotte Hespe in her candidacy for the role as President of our Royal Australian college of GPs. Charlotte is one of the rare individuals who has a skill set suitable for the role. As well as vast clinical experience in clinical general practice, practice management and governance, she is also a senior academic, researcher, mentor, teacher, advocate, leader and humanitarian. Over the years she has worn an incredible number of hats, and her range of expertise gives her the unique ability to understand the broad range of issues required for this role. Charlotte handles everything with patience, calm, grace, and kindness. She is equipped with the media skills and experience required of the public face of RACGP. I feel optimistic about the future of RACGP, and general practice as a profession, under her leadership.

Professor Clare Heal MBChB, DRANZCOG, DipGUMed, FRACGP, MPHTM, PhD

I am delighted to hear you are running in the next RACGP presidential campaign. I think your strength and experience in governance, your prior experience roles and committees at the RACGP and your commitment and advocacy for coal face GP’s are an ideal combination for the College and for the profession. We need a strong positive voice that will stand up to, but be willing to work with, the government in order to support and grow our profession. I wish you the best of luck in the election and hope to work with you some more.

Prof Kirsty Douglas, MBBS Dip RACOG MD FRACGP

I have worked with Charlotte over many years both in her capacity as practice owner at Glebe Family Medical Practice and as collaborator on several academic research projects all with a GP quality improvement focus. Charlotte is universally respected by her patients, health professional colleagues, academics and policy makers. This reflects her sincerity, passion and ability to deeply connect with so many diverse audiences. She has extensive board governance experience, has worked collaboratively with the NSW government on the COVID-19 response, and is highly proficient at communicating messages clearly in all forms of media. I can think of no better person to lead the RACGP and to support the delivery of high quality primary health care to the Australian community.

David Peiris, MBBS(hons) MIPH PhD FRACGP FARGP
Director, Global Primary Health Care Program, Health Systems Science
Co-Director, Health Systems Science
Professor, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney

I would like to offer my support for A/Prof Charlotte Hespe, who I have known through my various roles with the RACGP. 

Charlotte has been an avid advocate in the areas of GP education and training for many years. She continues to lead education and research in primary care at the university level, and tirelessly champions change at a state and national level through the many committees and boards she works with. It is through her visionary leadership that we now have a real partnership with government departments in matters that affect outcomes for patients, communities and our profession. 

It is my pleasure to endorse Charlotte as an authentic leader who people would be proud to support and with her strive for amazing results. 

Karin Jodlowski-Tan
National Director - GP Education and Wellbeing

Medical Director, Mt Druitt Medical and Dental Centre

Charlotte in her heart is devoted to general practice and enacting change in the form that will enable true support for GPs in Australia. She is willing to be open to change and create models that are best for our patients, the longevity of our health system with GPs and patient centered, evidence based care at the core.

I have had the honour of watching her over the past four years in leadership roles. Charlotte walks into a role and acts swiftly with tenacity. When she became Chair of NSW/ACT Faculty she quickly created an environment which led to enhanced engagement in meetings by the faculty representatives, a strategic focus on membership engagement and enhanced recognition for the need to incorporate adequate representation in our Faculty Council. We filled our vacant medical student & registrar positions and undertook a review of the skills and focus required for our co-opted positions. Charlotte has enacted an active succession planning approach to the Faculty Council to ensure ongoing active engagement and instituted biannual strategic planning and an action based approach NSW/ACT based on the need for enhanced membership engagement. She has started developing relationships with ACT Health and has supported the growth of a New Fellows Committee and educational program and been an active promoter and supporter of the need to incorporate GP Wellbeing within the core activities of our Faculty. 

One of her greatest strengths is her authenticity. She says what she believes. She doesn't say anything she doesn't believe in. She makes no apologies for her passion. She stands up for her passion. This makes her a fierce leader. Someone who walks into a position and without fear of reproach is willing to put herself on the line to enact the change she believes in. The changes that have come about from her passionate engagement have been mostly unacknowledged but extremely powerful and the ripples of these changes have seen the RACGP move leaps and bounds towards where the membership has been asking it to go for years.

Charlotte's resume is astounding. It is hard to believe one person can have done so much. She believes in intersectoral engagement and building of honest, trustworthy relationships. This is apparent in her work with PHNs, GP Training and also NSW Health. Charlotte's open honesty and trustworthiness means that those who have worked with her develop long lasting relationships that benefit the industry enormously. Most recently Charlotte's ongoing relationship and proactive positive approach has seen the NSW/ACT Faculty and NSW Health work in close partnership to inform the approach to the pandemic in NSW/ACT. She has been able to connect GPs in influential and active positions across NSW/ACT in a 'Virtual Community of Practice' to provide feedback to NSW Health on issues relevant for General Practice and has been successful in taking this feedback to adjusting the messaging, responsiveness and integration of LHD/PHNs and GP during a short period of time. 

Although she is strong and confident, Charlotte is also humble and cooperative. She is honest and is not afraid of criticism. She takes on feedback, assesses it and acts on it. Charlotte has made an active effort to develop her skills to become an effective leader and regularly reflects on how things could be done better internally in herself and externally in the wider landscape.

It is not very often that I would so openly applaud to this degree a person. However as I have come to know Charlotte over the years both professionally and personally I really feel that she has true intentions and truly cares about General Practice. I feel safe when thinking she could be our RACGP President for the next two years, knowing that she says what she does and that she does what she says. No games, without a political self interested agenda and with committed values driven action.

Dr Ashlea Broomfield

I have had the pleasure of working with Charlotte for 15 years- initially as her registrar and now as her practice partner.  It has been a privilege to know someone with such energy, insight and focus on mentor ship and teamwork.

Charlotte has shown a career-long passion for general practice.  She has had many years of thoughtful and collaborative advocacy and  has extensive experience in organisational and practice management, education and crisis management. She embraces innovation while appreciating the established core values of general practice.

Charlotte is a natural leader who can engage with different ideas and viewpoints, create solutions and communicate effectively.

Dr Naomi Ginges

A consultation concluded with the African mother of a problematic 2 month old sighing,"Thank god someone is working with me and not against me". That's how rewarding general practice can be. 

• Charlotte Hespe understands the healing power of relationships in general practice.

• Charlotte understands the challenges faced by our discipline.

• She understands the College and she understands the political landscape.

Charlotte has wisdom, courage and integrity. She thinks strategically and has demonstrated a capacity to harness resources. She has led the way in finding effective support for newly fellowed colleagues and the establishment of a network of female GPs. She has kept general practice in the centre of the thinking of NSW Health during this COVID crisis.

She is exactly the right person to be our next President. The arrival of our new CEO heralds a spring clean of College culture. Gone, for example, are the days where a cohort of favourites appear again and again in influential positions.

The new CEO will refresh the dynamic of the College. The challenges he faces will be mitigated if he and the Chair of the Board have Charlotte's experience and personal qualities in the position of President.

Dr Michael Fasher
General Practitioner

As a Past President and former NSW Faculty Chair, I have known Charlotte for over 10 years. In that time she has held many leadership positions - Chair of Central Sydney PHN, Chair of GP Synergy, Chair of RACGP NSW and Chair of RACGP Council. She has been a practice owner, GP supervisor as well as a University head of Department and  brings a wealth of experience  and understanding of the many stakeholders involved in our profession.  In her role as Chair of Council, Charlotte provided leadership for the College through a very difficult time, and has always been motivated by what is in the best interests of the members.   As a former Chair of GP Synergy, she is well positioned to provide leadership, as the RACGP takes on the contracts for GP Training. In all her interactions Charlotte  always displays a high level of honesty and integrity and is prepared to speak out strongly on issues of concern. I have no doubt she will continue to be a strong and effective advocate for general practice.

Dr Liz Marles, Past President RACGP 

Charlotte is a champion of our profession. She 'walks the talk' in providing first rate care for her patients. She has extensive national experience in supporting quality improvement, and has been a tireless advocate locally and nationally in leading health system change that acknowledges the central role of general practice. I admire her energy, vision and capacity, and believe she would be an ideal president of our college.

Dr Tony Lembke

Clinical Lead Improvement Foundation and GP Practice Owner, Alstonville Clinic