HCTL #004: From Clinician to Healthcare Thought Leader with Dr. Andrew Leech

In this episode of the Healthcare Thought Leaders' Show, Megan is joined by Dr Andrew Leech, award-winning general practitioner, author, speaker, healthcare advocate and founder of the Garden Family Medical Centre in Perth, to explore what happens when a clinician decides that helping people one consultation at a time is no longer enough. Andrew is the 2023 RACGP Western Australia GP of the Year and has become one of Australia's most respected voices in child and adolescent health, family medicine, and healthcare reform. Megan first came across his work on LinkedIn, drawn in by his willingness to think out loud about what's broken in general practice and how to fix it. At the heart of this conversation is a simple truth: healthcare changes when credible clinicians are willing to step forward and share what they know. Andrew makes the case that patients are actively searching for trustworthy, evidence-based voices, and that the opportunity to influence policy, practice and public understanding doesn't arrive after you've become well known. It arrives the moment you begin. In this conversation, you'll discover: - Why the 15-minute consult model is unsustainable, and what Andrew redesigned in its place - How rethinking clinic design, staff culture and even job titles changed the way patients experience care - The ADHD pilot program that helped shift the law in Western Australia and slash paediatric wait times for families - Where Andrew's books came from, and why journaling after clinic is a hidden gateway for clinicians who don't think of themselves as writers - The topics he still wants to write about, including neurodivergent girls being missed by outdated diagnostic criteria, and the quiet role of dads in paediatric care - How to approach AHPRA and thought leadership: stay evidence-based, stay ethical, don't overpromise - Where to start if you're a clinician who wants a voice beyond the consult room, from local newsletters through to national media Andrew also shares why saying yes to opportunities compounds in ways you can't see at the time, how the newspaper became an unexpected route to influencing government funding decisions, and why one clinician's willingness to speak up can genuinely change the system. This episode is a powerful reminder that sharing your expertise isn't self-promotion, it's advocacy, and it's exactly what patients are looking for. **Links:** - Website: https://www.drandrewleech.com.au/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drandrewleech/