The award recognises the outstanding work of general practices, the commitment of the practice to ongoing quality improvements; the standard of facilities offered to patients and staff; and the services offered to the local community.

Presenting the award at the GP of the Year dinner held during GP’09 – the Conference for General Practice – in Perth, RACGP president New South Wales GP Chris Mitchell congratulated doctor Bernard Chapman and staff of the Moora Health Centre and thanked them for their outstanding service to both the general practice profession and their local community.

“Moora Health Centre is the only primary medical facility in the Moora Shire and services a population in excess of 3,000 people,” RACGP West Australia Faculty chairperson Peter Maguire said.

“As such it provides a broad range of patient services from pediatrics to geriatrics, chronic disease management, acute illness and injuries and Aboriginal health.

“Staff work closely with the Moora Hospital and actively participate in community health and education programs.

“In general, like most practices in rural communities, the Moora Health Centre plays a pivotal role as a community resource.

“But what sets the Moora practice apart is the depth of Dr Chapman’s commitment to GP education.

“For over a decade, Dr Chapman has been heavily involved in the education of both medical students and GP registrars.

“Dr Chapman’s reputation with students is such that there is always a high demand for placements in the Moora practice.

“During one University of Western Australia rural week no fewer than 45 medical students spent time with Dr Chapman and his team.

“Three sixth year medical students also spend the four week rural general practice attachment in Moora every year.

“Moora Health Centre is regarded as an outstanding training post for GP registrars providing a supportive training environment and a case mix of emergency and in-patient care at the local hospital and a variety of clinical problems.