The Australian Association of Consultant Physicians (AACP) works as an advocacy body representing consultant physicians and paediatricians in economic and related workforce issues.

There is a complementary working relationship between the AACP and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). However the RACP, under its Memorandum and Articles, cannot engage directly in matters relating to the terms and conditions concerning the derivation of consultant physician income.

It is in these crucial areas that the AACP is focussing its efforts.

The AACP was founded in 1989. The original charter sought to promote, maintain and improve the highest standards of patient care in the community, as well as to represent the professional interests of consultant physicians.

In 2005 the AACP embarked on a new program to promote the professional interests of the consultant physician and paediatrician workforce. Specifically this program encompasses:

• increasing the Medicare benefit available to patients for professional attendance items for consultant physicians and paediatricians, with particular recognition of the increasing complexity of care required by many patients
• Improving the level of Medicare benefits available to patients of Fellows of the RACP's Faculties, Chapters and specialty societies.
  The first of these new attendance items (the first for consultant physicians for over 20 years) were introduced into the Medicare Benefits Schedule on 1 November 2007 as a direct result of the AACP's September 2006 Submission and subsequent representations. Items 132 and 133 provide for extended consultations for patients with one or more co-morbidities, in recognition of their need for comprehensive assessment and appropriately complex treatment and management plans.
• assisting in those areas of consultant physician practice where the particular subspecialty may find support useful
• working with the RACP on issues relevant to the consultant physician and paediatrician workforce
• focussing on ways to support consultant physicians and paediatricians practising in outer suburban, rural and remote areas
• encouraging career development across the consultant physician and paediatrician workforce

Governance

The AACP is incorporated as a Company limited by guarantee operating as a not-for-profit organisation.

In accordance with the AACP's charter (AACP Memorandum and Articles), its activities are directed by a Council.

Amendments to the AACP Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The Memorandum and Articles of Association (M&A) of the AACP were written in 1989 at the time of the establishment of the AACP. Since that time the M&A have been amended only once, in 2007. However, with the many changes in the operating environment for professional associations, other similar organisations and companies, the AACP Council has identified the need for further amendments to the M&A. These were presented and approved at the 2008 AACP Annual General Meeting.

Click here for a copy of the amendments.

Through its representation of consultant physicians, the AACP represents medically qualified Fellows in economic and workforce matters:

- Australian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists
- Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy
- Australian and New Zealand Association of Physicians in Nuclear Medicine
- Internal Medicine Society of Australia and New Zealand
- Australian and New Zealand Intensive Care Society
- Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology
- Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists
- Australian Diabetes Society
- Australian and New Zealand Society of Rehabilitation Medicine
- Australian Rheumatology Association
- Australasian Sleep Association
- Australian and New Zealand Society of Geriatric Medicine
- Medical Oncology Group of Australia
- Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand
- Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand
- Human Genetics Society of Australasia
- Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand
- Gastroenterological Society of Australia
- Endocrine Society of Australia
- Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand
- Chapter of Community Child Health
- Australasian Chapter of Palliative Medicine
- Australasian Chapter of Addiction Medicine
- Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine
- Joint Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine
- Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine
- Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine
- Australasian Faculty of Occupational Medicine

Membership

See full details on Membership page

The Pomegranate
The pomegranate originated in Iran and Afghanistan. In Persian writing, the pomegranate confers invincibility. In Greek and Roman mythology, pomegranates are linked to Persephone who, each year, returned from the Underworld to mark the start of spring. Spring is associated with regeneration, fertility and abundance. Hence, the pomegranate decorates the religious artifacts of many of the major religions. The medical profession has embraced the symbolism - that of health and life.