DARWIN GP RECOGNISED
DARWIN-BASED doctor Penelope Steele has been named the GP of the Year for SA/NT in the RACGP Awards, which celebrate individuals in general practice.
Dr Steele has been practising for the past 25 years and has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience in that time and has now been recognised in the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners awards. She has a special interest in mental health, women’s health and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health which she is working hard to improve.
“In the years that I have worked with Indigenous people I have watched the health gap widen,” she said.
“We need to change our model of health delivery, unless we change the fundamental basis of health such as nutrition, housing, engagement we will get nowhere. In spite of these limitations there was plenty that I could offer as a GP.
“It has been incredibly rewarding and challenging and I would not trade this experience for the world. I hope to inspire young people to work in remote Australia.”
RACGP president Dr Karen Price congratulated the winners for their hard work in their communities.