 Priorities and achievements
It’s hard to believe that, three
years ago, I attended the International Congress as your
President-Elect. Now it’s almost time for me to stand down, so it
seems like a good opportunity to reflect on the priorities I set
for myself back in 2008. These were to:
- Review psychiatry’s
contract with society through a re-evaluation of
professionalism
- Ensure that the College
is relevant to its members by rewarding excellence, consultation
and participation, and raising standards for practice and
services;
- Support and represent the
membership and trainees through changing times;
- Build stronger links with
stakeholders;
- Build on existing links
with the international community.
I believe we’ve made great
strides in meeting these priorities. In 2010, we published an
occasional paper, Role of the Consultant Psychiatrist:
Leadership and excellence in mental health services,
setting out the unique benefits that a consultant psychiatrist
brings to patient care, team leadership and service
development.
In 2009, I established the
RCPsych Awards to recognise and reward excellence
in mental health services. These are now in their third year, and
going from strength to strength.
The NHS has
faced severe pressures during the economic downturn, and is now
also facing significant reform. We’ve published several key reports
on service provision, in partnership with other key organisations,
and ensured that the voice of our profession has been heard at the
very highest level in government.
As Vice-Chair for
Education and Training at the Academy of Medical Royal
Colleges, I’ve worked hard to promote psychiatry. Seven of
the Colleges have established a web-based forum to promote the
integration of physical and mental health. We also been working on
a new joint core training programme with the Royal College of
Physicians, Royal College of GPs and Royal College of Paediatrics
and Child Health. The curriculum is going to the GMC in September
and, if approved, will allow trainees two years of core training
before choosing their specialty.
This International
Congress is testament to the strong links we’ve been
building with the international community. I’m delighted that this
year’s meeting is co-sponsored by 10 other psychiatric associations
from across the world, and over the last three years I’ve co-signed
13 memorandums of understanding with international bodies. We are
also exploring options for a reciprocal membership between us and
the American Psychiatric Association.
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