The RCSEd policy team has been working to make the College’s voice heard with multiple policymakers and stakeholders in recent months, despite the quiet period over the summer as the Conservative Party leadership election played out and a new Cabinet and Health Secretary came in. We have attended party conference events, such as a Fabian Society fringe event on children’s access to healthcare with Shadow Secretary of State Wes Streeting.
We engaged strongly with the House of Commons Select Committee Panel of Experts as they evaluated the government’s commitments on the NHS workforce, giving both written and verbal evidence. Their report referenced the College’s evidence multiple times and even directly quoted us.
We have also responded to consultations and engaged with the devolved administrations in both Wales and Scotland, on topics as varied as cancer strategy, a healthy food environment for children and digital health. We continue to do so, and are currently working on a consultation response to the Welsh government as they introduce a statutory Duty of Care.
We also continue to engage with medical stakeholders, submitting a response to the GMC’s consultation on updating Good Medical Practice and having multiple conversations with other Royal College’s and organisations in the world of health.
We have also continued to work on the College’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy, producing a report on the underrepresentation of Black surgeons and working within the Inequalities in Health Alliance.
We will continue to provide advocacy for our members and fellows and patients across Westminster and the devolved administrations. If you would like to know more about our work please contact us on birmingham@rcsed.ac.uk.