Latest news

Dr Claire Bayntun, RSM Trustee, summarises three major themes arising from questions asked by clinicians at the start of the pandemic.

How will COVID-19 impact on oncology care in low and middle income countries? And how is current research in global oncology improving cancer outcomes? These are some of topics being covered at the 5th annual RSM global oncology event on Monday 16 November.

The winners have recently been announced for the 2020 Doctors for the NHS Essay Prize, which has been run this year in collaboration with the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.

The Digital Health Section’s recent survey reveal insights into the experiences of people working in health and care services following this rapid transition to new digital health technologies during COVID-19.

The Royal Society of Medicine offers its congratulations to the following members who have been recognised in Her Majesty the Queen's Birthday Honours for 2020. 

Dr Kamran Abbasi, editor of the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, has been named in the HSJ Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Power List.

Professor Humphrey Scott has been appointed Dean of the Royal Society of Medicine. He will take up the post on Friday 23 October 2020.

Members of the RSM Paediatrics & Child Health Section have collaborated with poet Laura Mucha to write and perform a poem for children to let them know they’re there if they need them and thank them for making their jobs worthwhile.

With the beginning of the 2020/21 academic year upon us, we sit down with the new RSM President Professor Roger Kirby to talk about the transformation of the RSM to ensure its future sustainability.

On Tuesday 28 July 2020, Professor Roger Kirby was inaugurated as President of the Royal Society of Medicine. He takes over from Professor Sir Simon Wessely and will hold office for three years.

The recent announcement of 2019 impact factors for academic journals revealed a significant increase for the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.

Download our reading list covering recommended guidance for respiratory effects, cardiovascular complications, effects on brain and nervous systems, and research on vaccines for COVID-19.

Professor Sir Simon Wessely gives his final thoughts on his time as RSM President as he hands over the reins.

We have been working hard to create a safe environment for you and your guests and you will notice some changes when you visit.

In March 2020, as the potentially devastating impact of Covid-19 on the NHS became clear, the RSM moved to swiftly to produce a series of webinars to provide essential medical education about this new disease for health workers caring for patients on the frontline.

Resources on evidence behind black, Asian and ethnic minority patients affected by COVID-19.

Resources on guidelines and evidence summaries about COVID-19 and women's health and pregnancy.

Resources on transmission of COVID-19 in children, and impacts on education and mental health.

With a reach and reputation respected across medicine and healthcare, from the junior to the most senior, the RSM shares how it is supporting UK healthcare during the unprecedented crisis represented by the coronavirus pandemic.

Resources on advice and services available for healthcare professionals struggling with mental health issues during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Resources on outbreak management, infectious diseases and COVID-19.

We’ve created a roundup of official guidance and information, tools and helpful resources on COVID-19 for healthcare professionals, compiled by the RSM Library team.

Hamish Clark recently graduated in medicine and is one of many who has applied for the NHS’s FiY1 posts - a newly created role for final year medical students who can be fast-tracked onto the frontline to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Library is seeking your help to conserve the beautifully illustrated herbal: English Botany, or Coloured Figures of British Plants by James Sowerby, dating back to the 19th century.

Resources about current national clinical trials taking place for potential coronavirus (COVID-19) treatments.

With coronavirus making its impact across the world, the RSM’s CEO Michele Acton here shares how the RSM is adapting to these changing times.

The RSM were sad to hear that Dr Bill Frankland, believed to be our longest serving member, has died aged 108. Here we celebrate his life, and his rich and varied career.

Resources around critical care and ethics for COVID-19, recommended by palliative care specialist Dr Rachel Clarke.

Dr Fiona Moss looks at the NHS Patient Safety Strategy and how it has put education at the heart of its strategy for implementation.

Please read a Coronavirus (COVID-19) update from the Royal Society of Medicine.

At a meeting at the Royal Society of Medicine, key advisers in UK healthcare and law enforcement to discuss quarantine measures in the UK in response to the current COVID-19 outbreak.

In January, pupils from Westminster Academy had the opportunity to hear Nobel prize winner Sir Paul Nurse discuss ‘What is life?’ at the 2020 RSM Dangoor Lecture.

The RSM would like to congratulate all of our members who have been recognised in Her Majesty the Queen’s 2020 New Year Honours list.

Dr Carice Ellison-Cliffe has died aged 98 after a short illness. Well-known at the Royal Society of Medicine – Carice and her husband, Dr Percy Cliffe, established an annual eponymous lecture, and after his death Carice set up a travelling fellowship in their name.

Dr Marianne Coleman, an orthoptist and research fellow at the University of Surrey, recently presented her research findings, which looked at how the ability to judge distances may be affected by dementia.

The Royal Society of Medicine is saddened to report the death of Professor John Betteridge, Dean of the Royal Society of Medicine from 2010 to 2015.

On 1 October 2019 consultant cardiologist Professor Nikhil Patel became Chair of the RSM’s Academic Board. As he began preparing to take on this influential role, he spoke to the RSM about the plans for his term of office.

How will ex-investment banker and former Chief Executive of the UK’s largest charity funding pioneering eye research make the transition to leading an organisation whose mission is to advance health, through education and innovation? New RSM Chief Executive Michele Acton sets out her stall.

Read the latest President's update from Sir Simon Wessely.

Former RSM President Professor Sir Michael Rawlins and former President of the RSM Surgery Section Professor William Thomas were honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the prestigious Zenith Global Healthcare Awards 2019.

The RSM is pleased to announce that consultant cardiologist Professor Nikhil Patel has been elected Chair of the RSM Academic Board.

Following the recent RSM Council election, we are pleased to announce that Dr Melita Irving and Dr Hélène Menagé will be joining the Royal Society of Medicine Council.

Professor Roger Kirby has been named RSM President-Elect. He will take up the post on 1 October 2019, and will succeed Professor Sir Simon Wessely as President in July 2020.

The RSM would like to congratulate all of our members who have been recognised in Her Majesty the Queen’s 2019 Birthday Honours list.

Read the latest President's update from Sir Simon Wessely.

The RSM hosted a UK-leading innovation workshop, focused on filling a gap for innovation in bringing together early-stage entrepreneurs with senior clinicians, to spot challenges and new opportunities for the inventions and ideas in med tech.

Nominations are now being sought for the next President of the RSM and two trustees for the RSM Council.

After a long spell, Sir Simon Wessely returns with a new blog update.

The Royal Society of Medicine has announced the appointment of Michele Acton as Chief Executive, joining the RSM from the eye research charity Fight for Sight.

Colorectal trainee surgeon Doctor Jonathan Evans and neurology trainee Dr Peter Jenkins have been named joint winners of the Wesleyan RSM Trainee of the Year Award for 2017/18.

In the lead up to the RSM Wesleyan Trainee of the Year awards, we spoke to Miss Catherine Zabkiewicz.

In the lead up to the RSM Wesleyan Trainee of the Year awards, we spoke to Dr Katie Samuel.

In the lead up to the RSM Wesleyan Trainee of the Year awards, we spoke to Dr Peter Jenkins.

In the lead up to the RSM Wesleyan Trainee of the Year awards, we spoke to Egho Ireo.

In the lead up to the RSM Wesleyan Trainee of the Year awards, we spoke to Dr Jonathan Evans.

Dr Suzy Walton and Professor Linda Luxon are announced as our new Honorary Vice-President and Honorary Treasurer.

Sir Simon Wessely reflects on his work leading the review of the Mental Health Act alongside his work as President at the RSM.

Following the recent RSM Council election, four new trustees will be joining the Council at the beginning of the 2018-2019 academic year.

Bridget Gildea is announced as the new RSM Director of Learning. She joins us from Harvard Kennedy School and will be helping us develop and extend RSM learning and innovation for the wider healthcare community in the UK.

The Royal Society of Medicine offers its congratulations to the following members who have been recognised in Her Majesty the Queens Birthday Honour list 2018.

After 16 years of successful fundraising at the Royal Society of Medicine, Paul Summerfield, the RSM's Development Director will be leaving in mid-August to join The Royal United Services Institute.

The Dean Fiona Moss takes over the reins from the President and talks about the RSM's new Education Strategy and the work that has gone into creating a road map for the education programme over the next three years.

Sir Simon Wessely talks about the famous faces who have recently visited the RSM over the past few months, covering visits from Cathie Pilkington, Adam Kay and HRH The Duchess of Cambridge.

The Soulsby Foundation has awarded the inaugural Soulsby Travelling Fellowships to Dr Camilla Benfield and Dr Andrew Stringer to support their work in the international field of One Health which focuses on the essential links between human and animal health.

The subject of assisted dying is a controversial subject; one that was debated at our ‘Choice at the end of life’ meeting at the RSM. Here Sir Simon Wessely and Roger Kirby account the key arguments from the day.

The Duke of Cambridge was admitted as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine during a ceremony at the Society on Wednesday 17 January 2018.

The Royal Society of Medicine offers its congratulations to RSM members who have been recognised in Her Majesty the Queen’s New Year Honours list 2018.

Sir Simon Wessely and Roger Kirby approach the vexed subject of 'medical manslaughter.

Sir Simon Wessely discusses the events of this year's Black Friday, the day of which was marked by an inspiring presentation by obstetric anaesthetist Mark Stacey.

Sir Simon Wessely tells the story of a work experience student devising an award-winning system that could save the lives of heart attack victims, otherwise known as the 'Wald Code'.

RSM President Professor Sir Simon Wessely has been appointed by the Prime Minster, Theresa May, as Chair of the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act 1983.

Hundreds of entrepreneurial doctors who are part of NHS England’s Clinical Entrepreneur Programme will benefit from a new partnership struck by the Royal Society of Medicine and NHS England.

Sir Simon Wessely tells us what to expect from his presidency and where he thinks the priorities lie for the RSM over the next three years.

Sir Simon Wessely accounts the 'Big Bang' Professor Stephen Hawking created when he delivered a speech at the #TalkNHS debate about his appreciation for the NHS and his fears about its future.

Our new President, Sir Simon Wessely, introduces himself to us all in his own inimitable style with his first monthly update. He tells us of his experience of the inauguration day, the installation of four new Honorary Fellows, and the presentation of both the RSM Medal and RSM Gold Medal.

Professor Sir Simon Wessely is inaugurated as RSM President, taking over from cardiac surgeon Mr Babulal Sethia. Regius Professor of Psychiatry at King’s College London, Sir Simon is the first psychiatrist to hold the office of RSM President.

Dr Martha Martin recalls the concerns she had before starting her first job at Homerton Hospital in London and offers some tips to newly qualified doctors who are about to embark on their foundation training.

The RSM would like to congratulate all of our members who have been recognised in Her Majesty the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

Following the recent RSM Council election from among current trustees, Professor Gillian Leng has been appointed as Honorary Librarian, and will remain in post until September 2021.

Academic Colorectal Surgeon in Cardiff and winner of the Silver Scalpel Award 2017 Rachel Hargest describes the inspirational doctors who led her to following a career in surgery and offers her advice for younger doctors looking to enter this specialty.

World-renowned surgeon Professor Mehmet Haberal was awarded the Royal Society of Medicine’s first Distinguished Fellowship in recognition of his services to medicine.

What’s it like to work in paediatrics? Felicity Taylor, a trainee in paediatric emergency medicine, describes the highs and lows of working in the specialty, dealing with a 56 hour week, and having the accolade of becoming an HSJ Rising Star.

The Royal Society of Medicine offers its congratulations to RSM members who have been recognised in Her Majesty the Queen’s New Year Honours list 2017.

Coming from a family of doctors, trainee surgeon Katie Young always knew she wanted a career in medicine. Here she describes her working day and explains why she aspires to become a plastic surgeon.

Dr Martha Martin graduated from King’s College London and is working as an FY1 doctor at Homerton University Hospital in East London. She offers medical students her top revision tips for those all-important exams.

Soon after qualifying as a GP, Dr Frances Cranfield entered the medico-legal profession as an Assistant Coroner and expert witness for civil and criminal courts. Here she describes the breadth of skills this area of work requires.

Emergency and colorectal surgeon Catherine Doran describes how she has combined a career as a trauma centre surgeon in Birmingham with her role as a doctor deployed with the Royal Navy.

Is there a typical day for a doctor working in pharmaceutical medicine? Paul Robinson, Executive Director, Patient Perspective at Merck Sharp and Dohme suggests there’s no such thing.

Each College has different CPD requirements so we spoke to four clinicians from a range of specialties about their approach to education and their top tips on how to get the most out of time spent on postgraduate learning opportunities.

The RSM has opened the Dangoor Centre for Medical Education.