I took a few days annual leave last week, and
spent it London in with the family. While queuing to gain entry to
the museums and galleries, I had time to reflect on my first few
months in the role of President.
I am grateful that Dr Nick Kosky, chair of the
General and Community Faculty, has taken up my challenge. The
Faculty will be looking at the underlying principles and standards
for how “functional” teams should best work.
There have been many positive and exciting
announcements recently. Last week, I welcomed the government’s
announcement that it is
investing £32 million in psychological therapies for children and
young people.
And today, Rethink Mental Illness have had an
excellent launch of a
new independent expert commission on schizophrenia, to mark 100
years since the term ‘schizophrenia’ was coined. It’s great to
see that one of our Fellows, Professor Sir Robin Murray, is
chairing this new Schizophrenia
Commission. And I hope that as many members as possible – in
partnership with the service users they treat and the carers they
support – will put forward their views and positive thoughts for
the future.
My predecessor, Professor Dinesh Bhugra, and
some of our College staff are in Brazil this week. They will take
forward the shared work we want to do with the South Americans
around around CPD, examinations, and key mental health priorities
where we have shared challenges, interests and goals.
Back here in the UK, I have a busy clinical
week lined up – before heading off to Australia on Tuesday. I will
be attending the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of
Psychiatrists’
child and adolescent forensic mental health conference. I’ll
also take the opportunity to meet up with Dr David Shiers.
David is based in the UK, but will be in Sydney at the same time as
me to talk at a special Keeping the Body in Mind Forum on early
intervention for cardiometabolic protection in youth with
psychosis.
David is committed to with improving the
physical health for those with psychosis through an early
intervention angle, and is linking up with colleagues to look at
their innovative projects.
Thanks to all of those who have let me know of
innovations you are carrying out to ensure better physical health
for those with mental illness. Don’t forget you can
always respond to my blog using the feedback form below.
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