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About
Dr Michael Wright

Mbbs, msc (public health – health economics) phd

I’m a General Practitioner, a health economist specialised in health policy research and an experienced health system leader. My passion lies in improving primary care to ensure better access to quality healthcare for all.

Chief medical officer
Avant Mutual
Research fellow
UTS, Centre For Health Economics Research & Evaluation
Clinical associate professor
University of Sydney, Sydney University Medical School
Deputy Chair
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) NSW/ACT Faculty Council
Board Chair
Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (CESPHN)

Driving positive change in healthcare

I am dedicated to sparking positive transformations within the healthcare industry by empowering our doctors and implementing innovative strategies to facilitate the evolution of primary care.

Meaningful improvements in primary care

As a second-generation GP, I grew up seeing the impact of having a trusted health professional, working with patients and their many complex care needs, and came to see the value of continuity of care. My dad was a GP in country Victoria and in Queensland and the health conditions that he provided care for have certainly changed from those that I focus on. However, at the centre of every interaction we have with a patient is the potential value of a therapeutic relationship.

I still believe in the value of continuity of care and that is why much of my research has sought to understand the impact in value of this concept. I am committed to improving our health system by combining the strengths of our workforce along with the potential of innovation and emerging technologies.

Skills & expertise

  • Public Health
  • Applied Economics
  • Public Speaking
  • Health Policy Research
  • Healthcare Advisory
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Primary Care Medicine
  • Family Medicine
  • Health Care Delivery
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Health Care Management
  • Chronic Disease Management
  • Patient Engagement
  • Medical & Health Profession Education

Advocacy

So that’s my dream- a strengthened healthcare system available in the community, reducing pressure on our hospital sector so that the sickest of our patients can access care quickly when and where they need it. Most of us should be able to get the care and advice we need for chronic health conditions, many acute illnesses and complaints rapidly, easily, affordably and close to home from a known and trusted general practice.

Experience and knowledge

With over twenty years of clinical experience as a specialist GP, and with advanced training in public health and health economics, I can speak the language of policymakers, funders and politicians while explaining the value and power of properly funded general practice for our health system.  General practitioners and general practice is an amazing resource which we need to support and use better.

Compassion and determination

On a daily basis I see the challenges my patients have in navigating a complex, increasingly impersonal and more expensive health system.  I’m determined to shift the focus of the health system away from expensive hospital care towards better-funded and targeted primary care.

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Clinical and leadership experience

General practitioner

2017 - current

Woollahra Doctors, Sydney, Australia

Chief medical officer

January 2022 - current

Avant Mutual

Board chair

Jan 2017 - current

Central And Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network

Committee chair, Funding & Health System Reform

2018 - current

Royal Australian College Of General Practitioners

General practitioner

Mar 2010 - Dec 2018

Healthscope, Australia

Salaried general practitioner

2012 - 2013

National Health Service, England

Committee Member

2018 - current

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Primary Healthcare Advisory Committee

General practice owner

2002 - 2010

Evandale Medical Centre, Ashmore, Queensland

Board chair

February 2022 - May 2024

Avant Foundation

Leadership associate

Jul 2011 - Nov 2013

King’s Fund, London, England

President

2006 - 2009

General Practice Gold Coast (formerly Gold Coast Division of General Practice)

Academic experience

Associate Professor

June 2024 - current

University of New South Wales Centre for Future Health Systems

Clinical associate professor

Jan 2022 - current

University Of Sydney, Sydney University Medical School Sydney, Australia

Research fellow

January 2017- current

University Of Technology Sydney, Business Centre For Health Economics Research & Evaluation, Sydney, Australia

Visiting research fellow

Oct 2012 - Oct 2015

London School Of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine London, United Kingdom

Visiting Research Scholar

Nov 2019

Robert Graham Center for Policy Studies in Family Medicine and Primary Care, Washington DC, USA

Assistant Professor

2006 - 2009

Bond University Medical Program

Qualifications

Phd (Health Economics)

2015 - 2019

University Of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia

MSc, public health, health economics

2010 - 2012

London School Of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom

Mbbs

1989 - 1995

University Of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

FRACGP

1998 - 2001

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners

GAICD

2008

Australian Institute of Company Directors