I am a clinically practicing consultant geriatrician in Stoke-on-Trent (since 2004) and the current BGS Vice-President (Workforce). Enthusiastic about care of older people, I have served as Chair of BGS England Council, West Midlands BGS, on various BGS committees, and BGS board. Over the last 20 years BGS has been my home and has provided me opportunities to develop. I wish to be able to deliver all those opportunities and more back to our members.
As the Vice-President, I have delivered a new strategy, published multiple reports around workforce shortages, influenced national policy, liaised with the RCP, GMC, NHSE, and the voluntary sector. These efforts have culminated in the forthcoming national #ChooseGeriatrics campaign.
I am an effective leader and have developed:
National Deconditioning Awareness and Prevention Campaign: ‘Sit-up, Get-Dressed, Keep-Moving’ and #ReconditionTheNation, generating international adoption and impact.
National Frailty Academy: An award-winning career development program I founded to provide free training on frailty issues to any willing healthcare professional or the public.
National reconditioning Games- #ReconditionTheNation
My over-riding missions are to:
Externally: Elevate the care of older people and its workforce in national policy discussions, defining the BGS as the ‘go-to’ organisation for the care of older people.
Internally: Ensure that our members feel respected, valued, and empowered and that every member can get more out of the society than they are paying in.
My top priorities:
Supporting Colleagues:
Advocating for higher training numbers at IMT and SpR levels and supporting more consultant numbers in line with our #MoreGeriatricians report.
Highlighting issues affecting our nurses, AHPs and multi-disciplinary members and developing more opportunities for them.
Working with GPs, Consultants and Community based teams, researchers, educationists, and academics to further understand what we can do better for them,
Continuing to build on my work with the GMC and RCP, improving career opportunities for our SAS and IMG members.
Working with policy teams to develop flexible opportunities for senior professionals, LTFTs, family-friendly careers, and equitable opportunities.
Re-investing income in the growth of our members through CPD, prizes, fellowships, and mentorship opportunities, delivering value for your money on membership.
Research, Academia and Education:
As NIHR CRN Lead (Ageing), I am acutely aware of the declining academic numbers in our specialty, despite an exponentially increasing need. I will create academic opportunities for multi-disciplinary involvement in improving the care of older people, especially in recovery-rehabilitation and care sector. This will be even more relevant for SAS doctors, AHPs, GPs and for those working in community or social care where such opportunities are currently scarce.
Influencing Policy:
With proven history of credibility, authenticity, and effective delivery of multi-award-winning initiatives, I will influence policy for older people at the highest levels for ‘age-attuned systems. I will work with the BGS leadership to deliver the BGS manifesto for the new parliament.
These will include a renewed focus on workforce, higher training numbers, addressing bottlenecks and fill rates, improving training, strengthening influence in national policy, advocacy with decision makers and voluntary sector, advancement of clinical skills, personal development programs.
As my clinical and other teams know, I will be always approachable at an individual or collective level, no matter where you are and who you are. If you have any queries, please drop me a note and I will respond.
I will be a President for all.
It will be an honour to serve you if elected.
