College VOICE Edition 15 Sample

The staircase leading up to College Hall at our College building in St. Vincent Street, Glasgow

Welcome to College Voice, which I hope will offer a message of support and optimism during a time of significant challenge for all who work in the health service. Over the past year, we have been faced with sustained workforce pressures, record backlogs for elective and outpatient care, delayed access to social care, and ever-increasing demand. It is, therefore, unsurprising that our health service, and its workforce, are not in a healthy position. Our College is committed to actively addressing the current crisis through discussions with governments, devolved administrations, the GMC, other Colleges, specialty associations, and others about the steps we can take to support our Fellows and Members during the challenging period ahead.

Despite the challenges within the NHS, let's not lose sight of its great value and wonderful history. We recall its groundbreaking innovations as we mark the NHS’s 75th birthday (p.14) with personal reflections from our Vice President (Surgical) John Scott. With the introduction of a universal system, free at the point of delivery, the founding principles sought to tackle health inequalities in the UK. However, 75 years on the gap in healthy life expectancy across the nation remains. Urgent change is needed to protect the health of the population and the NHS, and I believe that we have the power to enact this change. For this reason, I have dedicated this year’s President’s Conference to understanding Health Inequalities (p.23) and exploring the practical steps we can take to close the gap. I hope to see you in November to discuss these issues.

Our recent Diploma Ceremony (p.8) served as a warm reminder of the passion and dedication that persists within the healthcare professions. We welcomed leading figures who have carried out outstanding work to improve health across the globe, reminding us of the privilege we have in making a lasting impact on peoples’ lives.

As our new Members and Fellows began a new chapter in their careers, we took a moment to focus on what is most important: their wellbeing. In the most recent survey of consultant physicians in the UK (p.18), we learned that almost one in five are at risk of burnout and a similar number almost never feel in control of their workload. As we usher in a new generation of doctors, we also welcome new ways of working that give medical professionals better support and work life balance – one of the many interventions our College will advocate for to retain our valued workforce. As we continue to reform the system, we remain cautious of the impact it is having on our planet’s health and we will continue to work to embed sustainable practices in medicine (p.12).

In our College community, you have a voice – and our upcoming elections (p.28) ensure the voices of our members are heard. Please let me know if our College can be of more specific assistance in any situation that you or your colleagues are facing by contacting me at: president@rcpsg.ac.uk.

Mr Mike McKirdy President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow

NEWSBITES

VOW TO TACKLE ‘COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE’ BEHAVIOURS

In September, the Working Party on Sexual Misconduct in Surgery published its report ‘Breaking the Silence –Addressing Sexual Misconduct in Healthcare’. Over 1,400 registered surgeons from across the UK responded to the survey. Of female responders, 63% had been the target of sexual harassment from colleagues, and a third had been sexually assaulted by a colleague. 90% of women, and 81% of men had witnessed some form of sexual misconduct. College President, Mike McKirdy, said: "The findings in the report are deeply disturbing. They describe completely unacceptable behaviours which have no place in surgery or the wider NHS.

“All staff have a fundamental right to safety in the workplace. Abuse and misconduct must not be tolerated.”

The report sets out recommendations for the Department of Health and Social Care, healthcare providers and other organisations including medical Royal Colleges and the GMC. “As a Royal College, we are actively looking at the actions we can take to prevent further harm and put support in place for those affected,” Mr McKirdy continued.

“We welcome the recommendations put forward by the Working Party and will take these on fully, while also working closely with the GMC, to address the problems of misconduct in medicine.”

LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME ALUMNI REUNITE AT ROYAL COLLEGE

Alumni of our Leadership Development Scholarship Programme reunited at the College this summer at a special celebration.

The programme was established in 2019 by Professor Jackie Taylor, then President of the College, and Professor Dame Anna Dominiczak, Regius Professor of Medicine at the University of Glasgow and Scotland’s Chief Scientist (Health). Since then, 20 talented clinicians and academics have benefited from bespoke leadership learning and training, to support them in the next phase of their careers. On the final day of this year’s programme, participants from each year gathered together at the College.

The fully-funded programme is open to those in the early stages of a leadership position, including clinical academics, of any health-related discipline. It includes three days of intensive leadership training, an assessment of personal leadership style, experiential learning and support, mentorship training, and access to personal mentorship from a senior clinician. Keep an eye on the Awards and Scholarships section of our website as applications for the next course, which will take place in early 2024, will open this autumn.

rcp.sg/awards

TWO SURGICAL EXAM CENTRES TO OPEN IN INDIA

Two new examination centres for surgical trainees are set to launch in India, with the first exams expected to take place early next year.

The College will work in partnership with Symbiosis International in Pune and KIMS Health in Thiruvananthapuram to offer the MRCS Part B examination – an intercollegiate exam run by the four surgical Royal Colleges in the UK and Ireland.

President Mike McKirdy announced the new centres during his visit to India this summer.

He said: “We are extremely proud of our international College community, and it is such a pleasure to return to India this year to meet with colleagues and the physicians and surgeons of the future.

NHS WORKFORCE PLAN REVEALED

The UK Government’s long-awaited NHS Workforce Plan was published in June. Set to be implemented over 15 years, the plan will see ‘record numbers’ of doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff being trained in England.

College President Mike McKirdy said: “The NHS has long needed a workforce plan and I particularly welcome the expansion of medical student and trainee doctor numbers and commend the commitment to retain our greatest resource – those currently working in the NHS.

“Wellbeing, and compassionate leadership, should be key priorities for the NHS in the years ahead if we are to create the workforce our NHS needs and deserves.”

“Our new partnerships with Symbiosis International and KIMS Health are an exciting development which will provide easier access to this important exam for trainee surgeons in India and the Middle East. Our experienced examination team is very much looking forward to meeting with the centre’s first candidates in early 2024.” While visiting India, the President met with colleagues, including Fellows and Members of the College in New Delhi, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. Over the course of the visit, he delivered a series of talks on global citizenship in the NHS and reflected on the approach to breast cancer treatment and management, based on his own career as an NHS surgeon.

NEW MASTER’S QUALIFICATIONS LAUNCHED FOR TRAVEL MEDICINE PROFESSIONALS

We’ve launched two new qualifications – MSc Advanced Practice (Travel Medicine) and MSc Advanced Practice (Expedition and Wilderness Medicine) – in collaboration with Glasgow Caledonian University.

Taught by travel and expedition medicine leaders, these courses respond to the need for formal qualifications which demonstrate professionalism and ultimately, protect patient safety.

Dr Sam Allen, Dean of the Faculty of Travel Medicine at the College, said: “The new Master's qualifications combine practical learning and academic capability, and the travel medicine Master's is believed to be the first of its kind in Europe. This is a monumental achievement driven by our valuable partnership with GCU, and the hard work of educators, trainers and leaders.”

DAVID WYLIE APPOINTED AS DEAN OF THE FACULTY OF PODIATRIC MEDICINE

At the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine AGM in May, David Wylie was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine, succeeding the position from Christine Skinner. David has been a Fellow of the Faculty since 2013, and managed podiatry services in the NHS for over 30 years. He is Associate NMAHP Director at NHS Education for Scotland, and prior to that was Head of Podiatry at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.

David said: The international profile of the College offers the podiatry profession in the UK an unparalleled opportunity to develop shared learning opportunities and mutual educational support globally.

CELEBRATING NEW FELLOWS AND MEMBERS AT OUR DIPLOMA CEREMONY

Photos: Jamie Simpson / Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow

Sir Tom Hunter, Dr Adar Poonawalla, Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, Professor Chris Lavy

On a warm September day, more than 300 new Fellows and Members from 27 different countries travelled to Glasgow to take part in our Diploma Ceremony.

The events took place at the University of Glasgow’s Bute Hall, where we celebrated the achievements of hundreds of physicians, surgeons, dentists, and travel and podiatric medicine professionals.

We welcomed seven new Honorary Fellows and presented three individuals with the President’s Medal on the day.

Sir Tom Hunter, founder of the Hunter Foundation, was recognised for the impact he has made on tackling poverty and inequality and promoting entrepreneurship in Scotland and beyond.

Joining him was Chris Lavy, Professor of Orthopaedic and Tropical Surgery at the University of Oxford. His inspirational work supporting the development of orthopaedic training and services and clubfoot

treatment in East, Central and Southern Africa was recognised.

Two people who have been instrumental in developing vaccines and making them accessible were also honoured at the event. Dr Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India, was made an Honorary Fellow recognising his commitment to affordable prices for vaccines and work to make them accessible for all. And Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, the world-leading vaccinologist who led the development of the Oxford vaccine during the Covid-19 pandemic, was awarded the President’s Medal.

Our President’s Medal was also awarded to Dr David Ritchie and Dr Patrick Grant for their outstanding work on the Bridges Programme, based in Glasgow. The Programme supports doctors who are refugees to work in the NHS through education and advisory services. You can find out more in the Members’ Area.

A member of our Faculty of Dental Surgery celebrates at the Diploma Ceremony

Faculty of Dental Surgery member with guest

Dean of the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine David Wylie welcomes new Fellow Jayne Robbie

In the spirit of collaborative working and celebrating our connections with other institutions, we welcomed as Honorary Fellows Professor Cathal Kelly, Vice-Chancellor and CEO of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland; Professor Meegahalande Durage Lamawansa, Vice-Chancellor and Chair Professor of Surgery at the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka; and Professor Rowan Parks, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde and President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, was also made an Honorary Fellow – marking his contribution to education in the city of Glasgow, where our College is based, and further afield.

It was a day of much celebration for all of our attendees – who were given a warm welcome to our College family from President Mike McKirdy.

He said: “As the UK’s only multidisciplinary Royal College, we are incredibly proud of the impact our College community is making by bringing together different perspectives and experiences to tackle global challenges.

“Our newest Fellows, Members, Honorary Fellows and Medal Winners build on a great legacy of innovation and collaboration over almost 425 years.”

“I am extremely proud to be associated with the Royal College. The talent and the collaboration that the College drives through its Fellows, Members and staff is very evident, and I am delighted to be here today.”

Professor Sir Jim McDonald

David Wylie, Christine Goodall, John Camilleri-Brennan, Mike McKirdy, Eric Livingston and Sam Allen

Dr David Ritchie and Dr Patrick Grant celebrate with their President's Medals

New members of our Faculty of Travel Medicine

New Fellows and Members applaud at the end of the Ceremony

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