“Remember the human” – RSM President responds to government consultation on the NHS
Professor Gillian Leng CBE, President of the Royal Society of Medicine, has highlighted the importance of maintaining focus on the humans within the NHS – both staff and patients – and ensure compassion and care are built into any future plans for the health service. Professor Leng’s words are part of a statement from the President this week, encouraging RSM members to engage with the government’s recently announced consultation on the NHS:
“I welcome the government’s recent announcement calling on the public, clinicians and experts to help shape the future of the NHS.
“Healthcare is a highly complex industry, one that continues to grow and develop with the creation of new, sophisticated innovations. Kidney dialysis, joint replacement, national vaccine programmes and targeted cancer treatments, for example, are all interventions introduced since the birth of the NHS in 1948.
“Creating a future healthcare system that builds on the best of the digital world, including Artificial Intelligence, is both exciting and challenging. But, while focussing on the digital, we must remember the human and include compassion and care for both staff and patients into our future plans.
“As President, I encourage members of the Royal Society of Medicine to engage in the government’s process and help transform the future of healthcare.”