Planning priorities for the next three years

Earlier this month the College held a special day to plan the College Strategy for 2027-2029, to help us make a real difference to psychiatric care over the next three years.

The day brought together representatives from across the College's governance, membership and operational leadership structures, including members of the Board of Trustees, Council, Presidential Leads, Associate Registrars and Associate Deans, Heads of Departments, members of the Senior Management Team and representatives from the International Divisions.

Together, their aim was to plan for the College's next strategy and to build a shared understanding of the direction and ambitions from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2029.

In particular, participants were asked to consider the College's future vision, discuss the President's proposed strategic priorities, identify what success would look like in the early years of delivery and consider how members, stakeholders and partners can contribute to achieving the College's objectives.

Throughout the day, participants took part in a series of facilitated discussions, workshops and plenary sessions.

Discussions focused on:

• the College's long-term vision
• the strategic outcomes the College should seek to achieve
• priorities for action
• key partnerships and stakeholder relationships, and
• the role that members should play in shaping and delivering the strategy.

Participants also considered what successful implementation would look like and identified practical actions needed to support delivery.

The outputs from the day will now be used to refine the draft strategy and vision, further develop the proposed strategic priorities and inform implementation planning.

Feedback and themes identified during the discussions will be incorporated into the next iteration of the strategy, before it is considered through the College's governance processes, with further opportunities for engagement and consultation as the strategy is developed.

Afterwards College President Professor Subodh Dave said he was convinced the College could make a real difference over the next three years, and that he was enthused by what was achieved during the strategy day:

“It was energising to see members and staff united in their endeavour to achieve a simple aim: to empower and enable psychiatrists to deliver the best outcomes for their patients.”

“My presidential priorities focusing on evidence-based practice and public mental health were shaped through the day in a College-wide strategy that I am convinced will make a real difference to psychiatric care in the UK over the next three years.”

This article was included in our October 2026 eNewsletter.