FACEM Kim Hansen has been a member of CAPP for about six years. She joined following her work on other ACEM committees, and after joining the motivated and welcoming group, decided to stay. She’s a familiar face, really – the Queensland Faculty chair and staunch advocate of that state and faculty; veteran of the Autumn Symposium organising committee; and a founder of the College’s Advancing Women in Emergency section.
‘I got involved in CAPP in 2015 when a casual vacancy came up.
‘I had been involved in a couple of College committees at that time – quality, primary exam – I wanted to increase my involvement.’
Kim says she was drawn to the opportunity to work with like-minded colleagues and to participate in the collaborative opportunity she saw between ACEM members, trainees and staff.
‘I always enjoyed the camaraderie and I recognised the quality of work that could be achieved when we [members] worked together with ACEM staff.
‘I saw the College as receptive to new ideas and in a position to support their development.’
She says she has found the development of the emergency medicine profession a rewarding aspect of her role in CAPP, and has relished paying that forward.
‘The College and CAPP play a central function in providing a platform for emergency doctors to come together to work on their passions.
‘Together, the energy and devotion towards a range of things has progressed our profession.’
Research, inclusion and patient safety are all areas that have seen significant advancements over recent years, Kim says.
‘A good example is the Advancing Women in Emergency Section, which now has about 300 members.
‘We’ve had hundreds of members attend networking events, produced a policy on gender equity and held educational sessions at conferences.
‘Most importantly, we’ve provided a platform for people to speak out about some of the issues women face in workplaces.’
Kim says one area that has been a keen focus throughout has been – and remains – access block.
‘It has been on the agenda for more than a decade, but continues to rear its ugly head in almost every ED across Australia and New Zealand.
‘Sadly, that work is still sorely needed. We see its need every day in the overcrowded, under-resourced environments we work in. They leave many patients with long and unacceptable delays.’
Kim encourages anyone with an interest to put their hand up for CAPP.
‘Try it! There are vacancies coming up in CAPP or the CAPP committees regularly. CAPP is a busy role with a broad focus, but it’s work is also at the heart of what emergency medicine is about.
‘We need a diverse range of voices to ensure that everyone is represented and heard, and that the best decisions are made.’
More information
Council of Advocacy, Practice and Partnerships