Support and stability for our members
The last few weeks have been eventful and it’s clear that we’re in for significant upheaval and uncertainty. The College will do what it can to provide stability for the profession, speaking to politicians and policy makers with a clear voice that puts our patients at the heart of our policies. The working environment for all our members must be supportive, irrespective of their stage of training, professional group or specialty.
Member engagement
One of my main aims as President has been to listen to members from all specialties, professional groups and locations so that I can represent their views and lead improvements in the way the College operates to support members. I have recently been to Belfast to talk to members and trainees there, an annual trip that I always enjoy enormously. I’m delighted that, for the first time ever, College Council will be held outside London in November, in Newcastle. This will be linked to events for members, trainees, medical students and the public as it falls during National Pathology Week.
There is generally a very good relationship between College representatives, members and government in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales but members in England have not always felt well represented. To remedy this, a new England Regional Council has been established and met for the first time in May. Representatives from 11 regions of England and the four elected England Council members met College Officers and staff to discuss how communication between members and the College can be improved in both directions. It was agreed that there would be significant administrative support for regional representatives from the central College and that consideration would be given to bringing back local representatives, similar to previous College Tutors.
Political engagement
Another of the themes of my presidency has been increasing political engagement to ensure that pathology is considered when policy decisions are made. While there is still some way to go, the College is now much more connected than it has been in the past. I meet Ben Gummer MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Care Quality, regularly and have raised issues including medical examiners, pathology catalogues, molecular pathology and bursaries for scientists. I have also met George Freeman MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Life Sciences, to discuss the work of the genomic medicine centres and commissioning of molecular pathology. I attended a meeting at 10 Downing Street and had the opportunity to set out the role that pathology can play in improving the quality and safety of care. I have also had the chance to talk to Lord Prior, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health in the House of Lords, and Lord Carter about the recent Carter report on productivity.
We have put a lot of effort over the last 18 months into developing constructive relationships with politicians, particularly those with direct influence on health policy. It looks like many of the faces will change over the next few months, probably several times, but we will continue to make sure that the importance of pathology in healthcare is highlighted at every opportunity.
Europe
The College intentionally avoided taking a stance on the EU referendum before the vote, apart from indirectly through its ongoing support for collaborative research, much of which involves European colleagues and organisations. It will be some time before the implications of the ‘leave’ vote become clear. From a College perspective, I would like to emphasise how much we value our members and staff from the EU and look forward to working with them for many years to come. It is more important than ever that we work together and don’t allow politics to distract us from our aim to provide the highest quality pathology services for patients.
Junior doctors
At the time of writing, the closing date for the ballot on the new contract is approaching, so I expect the outcome will be known by the time you read this. Whatever the result, the College is determined to do what it can to support and value its trainees. A survey of trainees is being developed and will be circulated soon to inform the College’s approach. We will be looking at areas that we can change to make trainees’ lives easier and their jobs more fulfilling, and we will work with external organisations to make changes to aspects that are outside our control.
Medical examiners
The government announced in April that it plans to introduce medical examiners (MEs) from April 2018 and published a series of consultation documents. The College has long campaigned for the introduction of this important patient-safety initiative and will keep up its support for the scheme over the coming months. To encourage debate, increase understanding of the role and identify potential barriers to progress, the College hosted a roundtable event on 1 June. Keynote speakers were Sir Robert Francis QC, Chair of the Mid Staffordshire Inquiry, and Dr Alan Fletcher, pilot scheme ME and Chair of the College’s ME Committee. Those attending included representatives of patients’ groups, bereavement charities, the coronial service, local government, leaders in patient safety, the Human Tissue Authority, Ministry of Justice and the Department of Health. There was also a team from Brighton, including a ME, coroner and the trust Medical Director, who gave a compelling account of the benefits of the scheme. A far-reaching discussion was had and a report of the meeting submitted as part of the College’s response to the Department of Health’s consultation, which closed on 15 June. It is clear that there is some way to go still, with clarification about the funding of the scheme and local government’s role in administering it requiring further thought. I am keen to maintain momentum, particularly to ensure that the outstanding issues are dealt with to avoid further delay to this long-awaited programme.
Pathology Summer School
I am delighted that this year’s summer school for UK and Ireland medical undergraduates has been even more popular than previously, with an increase in applicants and sponsors. The original three sponsors (the College, the Pathological Society and British Division of the International Academy of Pathology) have been joined by the Association of Clinical Pathologists, British Infection Association, British Society for Haematology and British Neuropathological Society. This year’s summer school, being held at Guy’s Hospital in London, will be multidisciplinary and focus on research, particularly molecular pathology. The summer school has now established itself as an annual event and the highlight of the College’s undergraduate engagement programme. Volunteers to host future schools, particularly outside London, would be very welcome. Similar schools for veterinary students and scientists are
being considered.
Chelsea Flower Show
Many congratulations to Dr Tim Wreghitt, Dr Jo Sheldon and team for the fantastic College exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show this year, which focussed on low allergy plants for the gardens of people with respiratory allergies such as hay fever and asthma. We were joined by actress Carole Boyd, who plays allergy-sufferer Lynda Snell in Radio 4’s The Archers. Hugely popular with the public, the garden also impressed the judges, being awarded a coveted silver-gilt medal. Many thanks to Tim and Jo for all their hard work and to all the College members and staff who spent hours on the stand talking to the public about pathology.
Annual dinner
The College hosts an annual dinner for members of Council and guests from other organisations. It’s an opportunity to both thank those who contribute to the work of the College and highlight the importance of pathology to the stakeholders and policy makers present. This year’s dinner focused on the advances in pathology during the Queen’s lifetime, celebrating her 90th birthday and world-changing research such as the discovery of the structure of DNA. Speeches by Professor Sue Hill, Chief Scientific Officer, and Vivienne Parry, science journalist and Head of Engagement at Genomics England, explored the potential of the 100,000 Genomes Project and what it means for pathology and patients.
Alie Street Building
In May I signed the contract for the demolition of the current Goodman Building on Alie Street, the College’s new premises. Scaffolding and fencing has already gone up around the site and demolition will begin soon. The Trustee Board hope to sign off the stage 4 plans at their July meeting. Construction of the new building should begin before the end of the year. The regular Alie Street blog on the College website will keep you up to date with progress over the summer.
Volunteers’ week
June 1–12 was Volunteers’ Week and the College staff and officers took the opportunity to thank members who have volunteered their time and energy to contribute to the work of the College. Around one third of College members are involved in the College in some way, whether it’s as an examiner, appointments committee assessor, member of a committee, public engagement volunteer or Bulletin article author. We are very grateful for your contribution.
Patron’s Lunch
On 12 June the College hosted a table in the pouring rain to celebrate Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday at a street party on The Mall. Joining trainee and lay group representatives were members and their guests who had won tickets in the draw. Despite long queues and relentless rain, spirits were high. The sun eventually came out just in time for the Royal Family to drive up the Mall in open-topped cars and for many of them to talk to the crowds. Our group talked to Princess Anne, her husband Timothy Laurence and son, Peter Phillips, who were interested to learn that we were from The Royal College of Pathologists. It was a very memorable way of marking our patron’s 90th birthday.
Next President
By the time the next issue of The Bulletin is printed, the next President will have been elected, although the result will not be officially confirmed until the AGM in November. Over the next two months, candidates will be encouraged to put their names forward. They will have the opportunity to share their vision for the future of the College and all members will have the chance to vote. Please see page 167 for more details. Thank you to all the members who suggested questions for the candidates; they have been incorporated into the final list of questions that all candidates will have the option of answering. Please use your vote; there will be information about all the nominees on the College website and in the link emailed with the link to the ballot.
Dr Suzy Lishman
President
[email protected]
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