Medical Heritage Events
October - December 2022
Crush Hall Exhibition
Vaccination: Finding the ‘Perfect Disease’
College Hall Exhibition
Admitting Women
Ends Friday 4 November 2022
Workshop
Explore our collections: an introduction to medical heritage archives
5 and 6 October 2022 | Afternoons | Students Talk
Ronald Ross and his Monstrous Malady: 120 Years ofMalaria Prevention
19 October 2022 | 6pm - 7.30pm | Adults
Workshop
All aboard to Vaccination Station! An interactive comic workshop with Adam Murphy
19 November 2022 | 1pm - 3pm | Families Tour
Twilight Tour: The College collections after dark 7 December 2022 | 7pm - 9pm | Adults
To book your place visit rcp.sg/heritage or call 0141 221 6072
Please check the website for more information.
At the time of this edition of VOICE going to print, the entire College community noted with sadness the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and extended our condolences to King Charles III, the wider Royal Family and all who knew her well.
As we reflect on her late Majesty’s selfless devotion to duty, we can draw inspiration from a life so well lived and recall her auspicious role in granting our change of title to Royal College in 1962 and also her happy visit in 1999 to mark College’s 400th anniversary.
The curbs on social behavior and travel, introduced because of the pandemic, have been lifted across the UK. Of course, infection control measures remain in place in clinical settings but there has been a clear change in public behaviour on mask wearing and social distancing. The current intelligence on variants of Covid, which might cause future problems, is generally reassuring and so perhaps we can hope for a more normal autumn season in our family and social lives. However, we know that our NHS is still under immense pressure and winter will bring enormous challenges. The College will be engaged in supporting our Fellows and Members as we tackle those challenges and we will use our voice to speak up for the professions as we go forward.
Our engagement with key political stakeholders across the United Kingdom continues and I have recently had productive meetings with Humza Yousaf, the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in Scotland and Robin Swann, the Health Minister for Northern Ireland. As in all of our meetings with politicians across the UK we emphasized the need to retain senior clinical staff as we address the recovery of NHS services after Covid and explained that current contractual matters, especially pension tax charges, are impacting on the delivery of clinical care and require political action.
Another common theme in our meetings with politicians and senior NHS managers has been the granting of leave for our Fellows and Members to take part in educational activities and in particular to be released for their roles as examiners. It is surprising that this matter is so little understood. Our College examiners, voluntarily, quality assure the medical and dental workforce of the NHS and yet we regularly hear of leave for this important work being denied. The UK Academy of Medical Royal Colleges has been working with the four Chief
Medical Officers on updated guidance on the granting of leave for educators and examiners and with our colleagues in the other Royal Colleges of Surgery we have written jointly to raise this matter with senior health service managers. If you are encountering difficulties with the granting of professional leave to examine for the College please let me know directly at president@rcpsg.ac.uk.
Thank you to everyone who has joined us for the President’s Webinar series on climate change and sustainability. I am sure you will agree that we have had illuminating debate and discussions as we build to the President’s Conference on 16 November, which will focus on climate change and sustainability. Please do consider joining us on that day either in person or virtually.
Sadly the war in the Ukraine continues with daily evidence of war crimes, atrocities and the senseless killing of civilians, including children. The economic impact of the war causing high energy prices and inflation is likely to be followed by acute food shortages across the world wherever Ukrainian grain is a staple import. In the midst of this chaos medical and surgical care is still required and I am very proud of the role our College has played in that. Fellows will recall that earlier this year College Council member Steve Mannion, a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon, volunteered to work with UK Med in Ukraine. On his return Steve discussed the need for plastic surgery training and Surgical Vice President John Scott, a plastic surgeon, then readily volunteered. I am sure that you will join me in thanking them for their bravery in travelling to Ukraine during this time of war to share their skill and expertise. Of course, not all of us are needed in Ukraine, but we can consider assisting in other ways. In that regard the example of College Surgical Vice President Abhay Rane and his wife in opening their home to Ukrainian refugees is an example to us all. College has joined with others to support the appeal for Ukraine and details of how to donate are on the College website.
We have also welcomed the news that Mr Mike Lewis has been appointed to the position of Chair of the JCIE, which oversees the FRCS examination in all ten surgical specialties in the UK and Ireland and the FRCS internationally. Mr Lewis is a cardio-thoracic surgeon in Brighton and he will have a period of handover with Mr John McGregor, formerly a Vice President of our College who has led this essential intercollegiate work with great distinction, particularly in the challenges of assessment during the pandemic. While John McGregor will be a very hard act to follow, we wish Mike Lewis well and warmly welcome him to his new role.
As we look ahead to what may be a very challenging autumn and winter for healthcare delivery I send you my very best wishes and the promise of continued support from the College. We are truly an inspiring community to be a part of.
PRESIDENT’S CONFERENCE 2022
Sustainability in Healthcare ‘One
year on from COP26 – Where are we now?’
Wednesday 16 November 2022
In 2021, Glasgow hosted the UN’s seminal Climate Change Conference, COP26. Since then, our College has prioritised this global issue, working with partner organisations and hosting webinars to discuss, inform and improve the current status.
Our President’s Conference will be a culmination of this year’s work. It will present an in-depth look at sustainability in healthcare and the impact of climate change on our health and healthcare delivery. Featuring informative, thought-provoking discussions, we’ll invite international perspectives and offer solutions and ideas to take forward on a personal and institutional level.
Opening with an introduction from College President Mike McKirdy, the conference will feature interactive sessions chaired by renowned and influential figures including Professor Dame Parveen Kumar, Professor Adrian Stanley, Hugh Montgomery OBE and Dr Richard Smith. Speakers include Dr Marina Romanello, Dr Nick Watts, Caroline Lamb, Dr Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum and Dr Elaine Mulcahy.
rcp.sg/presidentsconference2022
NEWSBITES
COLLEGE STATEMENT ON THE GMC NATIONAL TRAINING SURVEY RESULTS
The College responds to the National Training Survey 2022 results.
The GMC has published the results of its National Training Survey 2022. Some 67,000 medics across the UK responded to the poll, including both trainee doctors and those who train them. Two-thirds (66%) of trainees said they are ‘always’ or ‘often’ worn out at the end of their working day. And 44% said they were regularly exhausted in the morning at the thought of another day of work.The risk of burnout is now the highest it has ever been since the GMC began tracking it in 2018.
College President Mike McKirdy said:
The findings from this report are not surprising to us.
Our healthcare workforce has faced unprecedented pressures over the past two years, the impact of which will continue to be felt for some time to come.
We know that a healthy healthcare workforce is essential for patient care. When the workforce is exhausted, experiencing burnout, and struggling to balance their work and personal lives, it impacts on everyone.
We welcome the progress being made in this area at UK Government level with the announcement of a workforce strategy later in the year and welcome the Scottish Government’s own workforce plan.
I am committed to working closely with all Governments across the UK to help determine the best way ahead.
JOINT STATEMENT FROM ACADEMY OF MEDICAL ROYAL COLLEGES ON THE CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP CONTEST
Medical leaders from Royal Colleges and Faculties have published a joint statement calling on the next Prime Minister to commit to proper workforce planning, a greater focus on preventing illness and tackling inequalities and fixing the breakdown between NHS and social care.
The College is one of several medical Royal Colleges and Faculties representing the full range of medical specialties across primary, public health and hospital care who have signed a joint statement urging the next Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative and Unionist party to make health and care a priority.
Medical leaders from Royal Colleges and Faculties have published a joint statement calling on the next Prime Minister to commit to proper workforce planning, a greater focus on preventing illness and tackling inequalities and fixing the breakdown between NHS and social care.
The statement urges the next Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative and Unionist party to:
1. Commit to planning and providing a health and care workforce that meets the needs of the population, particularly by increasing medical school places and clinical training places.
2. Commit to reducing health inequality by tackling the causes of ill health so that in the long run we reduce pressure on the NHS by reducing preventable illness.
3. Commit to fixing social care so that we end the cycle of working age adults and old age adults being admitted to hospital, or delayed in leaving hospital, because of insufficient social care packages to help them live independently.
ACADEMY OF MEDICAL ROYAL COLLEGES
We are delighted to announce that our President, Mike McKirdy has been elected as a Vice-Chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, beginning in September.
The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (the Academy) is the membership body for the UK and Ireland’s 24 medical royal colleges and faculties. It plays a key role in collating its member’s views, and coordinates activities to collectively influence and shape healthcare across the four nations of the UK. More information on the Academy can be found www.aomrc.org.uk.
CELEBRATING ST ANDREWS DAY: An evening in support of Hope Saturday 26 November, 7pm
Join us for an evening of fine Scottish fare and musical entertainment as we celebrate St Andrews Day in style, with all proceeds going to our HOPE Foundation. rcp.sg/HOPEStAndrews22
COLLEGE RESPONDS TO PUBLICATION OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE COMMITTEE WORKFORCE REPORT
WEBINAR
Inclusion Advisory Forum: Enhancing The Way We Work
The House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee has published its Workforce: Recruitment, Training and Retention in Health and Social Care report. It contains a number of recommendations supported by the College.
College President Mike McKirdy said: The findings from this report are not a surprise to anyone involved with or working in our NHS. As an organisation, we have been calling for action to address the workforce crisis and prioritise staff wellbeing for many years and the pandemic has only exacerbated this. This report makes it abundantly clear that we need a fully resourced strategic workforce plan for our NHS.
These challenges must be addressed urgently and we hope the government will engage with the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and our fellow medical royal colleges to ensure the needs of our workforce are reflected in its upcoming workforce strategy.
Monday 3 October 2022, 2pm - 5pm BST
Enhancing the Way We Work is the first event run by the Inclusion Advisory Forum and will provide attendees with an understanding of the importance and benefits of Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) in the workplace. We will also discuss unconscious bias, and how to develop positive personal action to enhance the way we work. Visit our website for more information.
Develop your career in Travel Medicine
Professional Development Certificate (PDC) in Travel Medicine
The PDC in Travel Medicine has been designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of doctors, nurses and pharmacists working within Travel Medicine. The qualification will provide practitioners with knowledge and understanding of travel medicine in relation to the core aspects of travel health.
The course will take 6 months to complete is delivered entirely online using electronic modules with self-directed study. Students will have access to a Tutor Group, who will provide guidance throughout the programme.
The next cohort entry dates are 27 September 2022 and 28 March 2023.
Medically qualified participant – £1,195
Non-medically qualified participant – £995
Find out more at rcp.sg/PDCTM
RCPSG International Postgraduate Diploma in Expedition and Wilderness Medicine
This Diploma is a must for any healthcare professional seeking to participate in, or lead expeditions in extreme and challenging environments. Structured in conjunction with the Oxford Handbook of Expedition and Wilderness Medicine, the Diploma will offer students the chance to gain a fully recognised qualification, whilst also having the opportunity to travel to challenging locations both in the UK and Morocco.
The next cohort begins 7 November 2022. Course fee - £7,300
Find our more at rcp.sg/DEWM
RCPSG Postgraduate Diploma in Travel Medicine
This course consists of eight postgraduate modules delivered over a period of 18 months. The course will be delivered by specialists in the travel medicine field using a blended model of two residential elements and online interactive learning. Students will be expected to attend and contribute to online educational and peer support platforms.
Those who complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Travel Medicine will be eligible to be admitted to the College as Members of the Faculty of Travel Medicine and able to use the post nominal MFTM RCPS(Glasg).
The next cohort will begin on 30 January 2023 with a week of learning.
The next week long residential will take place in October 2023. Applications are now open.
Course fee - £4,395
This will include Affiliate Membership of the Faculty of Travel Medicine and access to TRAVAX for the duration of the course.
For more information visit rcp.sg/pgdiptm
This course was partially funded by a Sanofi Pasteur educational grant. Sanofi Pasteur had no input into the content of the course.