Penny Abbott

Penny Abbott is Professor and Peter Brennan Chair of the Department of General Practice at Western Sydney University's School of Medicine. She is an academic general practitioner with career-long teaching, research, clinical and professional interests in high quality accessible primary care, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, the health of justice involved people and health equity. Her institutional affiliations include:

• Western Sydney University, School of Medicine, Department of General Practice
• Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network (Board member)
• General Practice Advisory Group, Agency for Clinical Innovation NSW
• GP leaders' group and Clinical Council at Western Sydney Primary Health Network

Professor Abbott's research focuses on the health and wellbeing of people involved with the justice system, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, primary care delivery, and ear and hearing health. Her work often examines health equity issues and the intersection of healthcare with social determinants of health, particularly for vulnerable populations including incarcerated women and Indigenous communities. She has conducted extensive research on otitis media in Aboriginal children and healthcare for justice-involved populations.

Her publication record shows consistent output across multiple areas, with recent work (2022-2025) focusing on prison health, Indigenous health, and otitis media research. Professor Abbott employs both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, with particular expertise in qualitative research with vulnerable populations. Her work often addresses gaps in healthcare delivery for marginalized groups and seeks to improve continuity of care across different healthcare settings.

Professor Abbott has received several notable recognitions including:

• Churchill Fellow
• FRACGP (Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners)
• GAICD (Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors)

As an active clinician-researcher, Professor Abbott maintains clinical practice within the women's health stream of Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network while also working with Aboriginal community controlled health sector. Her dual role allows her to identify pressing clinical problems and develop research that addresses real-world healthcare challenges. She supervises research students and contributes to medical education, particularly in areas of cultural competence and care for vulnerable populations. Her research group collaborates with multiple stakeholders including community organizations, government health services, and academic institutions to address complex health issues affecting disadvantaged communities.