Carmel Sparke THE RACGP has apologised after

They are simply listed as ‘ some of our new fellows ’,” she wrote .

doctors complained that a photo

Pointing out that the three doctors

published in a member update was racially biased .

Taken at an RACGP fellowship ceremony in Brisbane , the photo features college president Dr Nicole Higgins

were “ senior , senior members ” of the RACGP in Queensland , Dr Chapeyama then questioned how the person who put together the update could not know who they were .

From left to right : Dr Nicole Higgins , Dr Srishti Dutta , Dr Prasad Kumar and Dr Prakash Pattnaik .

and three Queensland council mem-

“ Was there no curiosity to find

bers : Dr Srishti Dutta , Dr Prasad

out ?”

He went on to say the RACGP

background and how best to amplify

college into the future .”

Kumar and Dr Prakash Pattnaik .

In an apology sent to members ,

would use the incident as an oppor-

their voice .

Dr Higgins also apologised , writ-

But when published in the pres-

RACGP CEO Paul Wappett said it was

tunity “ to effect change ”.

“ The last thing we want to do , or be

ing that a week of celebrations had

ident ’ s weekly Friday update , the

a “ humbling ” lesson for him and

“ This will not be a rushed process ,”

perceived to be doing , is sweeping this

ended “ with uncomfortable conver-

photo caption only named Dr Higgins ,

members who did “ not have the same

he said .

episode under the rug . Far from it .

sations , hurt and self-reflection on

incorrectly referring to the three GPs

lived experience as those members

racism ”.

beside her as “ new fellows ”.

A different image showed Dr Higgins standing next to a new fellow of Caucasian ethnicity who was named

who come from a culturally and linguistically diverse background ”.

“ As the CEO of the RACGP , I am responsible for all operational mat-

‘ As a college , we must do better to address racism and implicit bias .’

“ As a college , we must do better to address racism and implicit bias ,” she wrote .

“ I have mentored Srishti , and

in the caption . The photo sparked complaints

ters ,” he said . “ The buck stops with me .

— Dr Nicole Higgins

she has taught me a lot over the years , so I was gutted to see what

to the college and on social media ,

“ I would therefore like to offer my

had happened .

where Dr Lynda-Rose Chapeyama

sincerest apologies to Dr Srishti Dutta ,

“ Rather , I intend to speak to the

“ Instead , we are owning up to

“ I also acknowledge the moral

accused “ whoever ” put the update

Dr Prasad Kumar and Dr Prakash Pat-

board about seeking independent ,

the error , listening carefully to

injury and hurt experienced by my

together of “ implicit bias ”.

tnaik , as well as to all members for

considered advice on how we bet-

the concerns of our members and

colleagues and friends on a daily basis .

“ The picture with three people of colour . They are not named .

whom this has added to their experience of racial bias in the college .”

ter support our members from a culturally and linguistically diverse

working to be a more inclusive , supportive and culturally sensitive

“ As a college , we must do better .” See Letters , page 15