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RACP in Chaos: Police Called to Tumultuous Doctor Meeting
29 Apr
Summary
- Police intervened in a Royal Australasian College of Physicians meeting.
- A leadership battle has fractured the college for months.
- Infighting distracts from the college's core mission and training.
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) is currently experiencing a significant leadership crisis, culminating in police intervention at an extraordinary general meeting. This incident highlights months of conflict between prominent figures, including Prof Jennifer Martin and Dr Sharmila Chandran, over the college's governance structure and leadership roles.
The RACP, representing over 32,000 physicians across Australia and New Zealand, has been described by members as a "royal mess" and an "absolute shitshow" due to persistent infighting. This dysfunction has led to intervention requests from the national charities regulator and concerns from the Australian Medical Council regarding governance standards.
Recent events include a controversial vote to oust Prof Martin as president, which the board has declared invalid, creating a "constitutional crisis" with two competing boards. The college has also faced scrutiny over workplace health and safety and past financial management issues.
This prolonged turmoil has led to disillusionment among physicians, with some leaving the college due to the unprofessional conduct and the significant costs associated with membership fees and endless meetings. The situation is particularly difficult for trainees, who are bound to the college for their career progression despite the ongoing disputes.
