The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners congratulates Medical Director Dr Bryan Betty on being appointed as an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours List.
Dr Betty was awarded this honour for his services to health.
Lynne Hayman, College CEO says, “We are delighted to see Bryan recognised for his services to health, which covers the breadth and depth of the sector. First and foremost, he is a specialist general practitioner and has spent two decades working at the same practice in Porirua. He is a strong advocate for equity and access to quality healthcare for everyone.
“At a national level, Bryan, alongside our College President, represents the College and our 5,600 members on various health sector committees, including the COVID-19 Technical Advisory Group which steered the country through the ever-changing uncertainties of the pandemic.
“Bryan consistently highlights the rewards, and the challenges of the general practice and rural hospital medicine workforce and is not afraid to challenge others in the sector about the crucial role of general practice and the role of general practitioners within the health workforce.”
College President Dr Samantha Murton says, “Bryan is a trusted and well-respected medical professional whose clear and concise advice and guidance within the workforce, in the media, and to the general public does a fantastic job in highlighting the importance of specialist general practitioners in the community and really showcases our expert diagnostician skillsets.
“Having Bryan as an ally to work alongside as we tackle the big issues facing general practice is always reassuring, especially as we have the same ethos that the health of our patients, whānau, and communities should be at the heart of everything we do.”
About Dr Bryan Betty
Dr Betty is a working GP and has spent the past 16 years at Porirua Union and Community Health in Cannons Creek, East Porirua, a suburb that is known for its high needs and social deprivation. The practice has 7,000 enrolled patients, 90 percent who are high needs with 25 percent Māori, 50 percent Pasifika and the remainder mainly refugee.
Over the course of his career, Dr Betty has been a vocal critic of New Zealand’s rheumatic fever and type 2 diabetes statistics and is a strong advocate for change that will improve health outcomes and reduce health inequities for everyone – no matter where they live.
Dr Betty became the College’s Medical Director in 2019 and in this role provides clinical advice and guidance on policy, medicolegal, and media issues. He is a regular commentator in the media, regularly appearing on TV and radio, and writes opinion editorials on the general practice workforce.
Dr Betty chairs the Capital Coast Alliancing Leadership Team, is on the Board of Tu Ora Compass Health PHO, was on the National Diabetes Leadership Group, and was previously Deputy Medical Director of PHARMAC.
