Occasionally, I still receive diary reminders that events planned pre-pandemic have been cancelled (some for the second time)! Meeting in person – or as some people have described it, ‘seeing you in 3D rather than 2D’ – is so important, and as Wales moves cautiously out of lockdown, we’re looking forward to the ‘new’ normal, despite the fact that RCP meetings will continue to be virtual for the foreseeable future.
RCP president visits Wales (virtually)
Some of the most important meetings in our calendar are visits from the RCP president Dr Bod Goddard to hospitals in Wales. In 2020 we had to postpone PRCP visits, but I’m delighted to inform you that these are going ahead this year – albeit virtually! Bod visited Ysbyty Wrexham Maelor last week to meet with trainees, members and fellows.
These visits give local physicians an opportunity to showcase their work. They also provide a time to reflect on and express concerns around service delivery, training and wellbeing. RCP senior officers take the visits very seriously, feeding back to NHS management on the day, with a full written report published after the event. We are always very indebted to the college and associate college tutors who help organise the meeting. A huge thank you to Dr Anthony Dixon, Dr Charlie Finlow and Dr Sarah Dyer for hosting and presenting to the group.
Our next visit from the president will be on 21 June at the Grange University Hospital. If you are a consultant or trainee working in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, please get in touch to book your place.
A new government and a new Senedd
The recent Senedd elections did not significantly upset the political map of Wales. Welsh Labour won with 30 (of 60) seats and intend to govern alone for the next 5 years. Their manifesto promised 12,000 more staff for the NHS, a new medical school for north Wales, and investment in the integrated care of older people with complex needs. They have also committed to a Clean Air Act and a Health in All Policies approach.
The first minister has announced that Eluned Morgan MS is the new minister for health and social services, she will lead on NHS recovery and the pandemic response. (She previously held the role of minister for mental health and wellbeing.) Her deputy ministers will be Julie Morgan MS and Lynne Neagle MS. We have written to the minister and would like to meet her as soon as possible to highlight our asks for the new Senedd term.
Tackling social determinants of health and reducing health inequalities must be a priority; it is time for a cross-government strategy. We will also continue to highlight the workforce and wellbeing agenda, calling for fair, filled and fulfilled rotas. Please feel free to contact me if you have anything to discuss – my role is only impactful if I can represent your views.
Tackling the backlog
Moving forward, we – and many others – have been working with the Bevan Commission on two papers in their Doing things differently series, one on tackling the NHS backlog and the other on expanding care in the community. These papers will be published alongside a ‘how to guide’. Please get involved if you can; the way out of our current situation is in our hands, and we must grasp the moment. I’m increasingly aware that both ‘front door’ demand and urgent outpatient referrals are now rising to pre-pandemic levels and this is not sustainable within our current model.
Green healthcare and patient safety
I’m delighted to see the setting up of Green Health Wales – a network for sustainable healthcare in Wales – which is in response to the NHS Wales decarbonisation strategic delivery plan. You can book a space at their launch. Another event is the Patient powered safety symposium hosted by Dr Chris Subbe, our RCP quality improvement lead in Wales.
Trainees – a final call for applications
Please encourage your trainees to apply!
Turner-Warwick lecturer scheme
The winning entry for Wales will present on the RCP Player, publish their work in the 2021 Turner-Warwick yearbook, attend a virtual reception with the RCP president and registrar, and receive 1 year’s free RCP membership or free membership on renewal. The deadline is 6 June.
The winning author will be invited to present at our Update in Medicine – Wales, a 2-day virtual event on 8–9 December 2021. The winning and highly commended authors will receive free entry to Medicine 2022 and entry in our national electronic digest ‘RCP regional poster competition 2021’. Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) is sponsoring cash prizes for first, second and third places. All shortlisted and highly commended entries will be included in the 2021 Wales abstract booklet. The deadline is 7 June.
Lewis Thomas Gibbon Jenkins research fellowship
This research fellowship is open to subscribing RCP members up to ST6. The bursary of up to £30,000 is available over 2 years to fund a research project in Wales. The deadline for applications is 4 July.
Finally, the latest HEIW newsletter is out now and includes lots of news from around Wales.
Dr Olwen Williams
RCP vice president for Wales