President candidates answer members’ questions ahead of historic election
The four candidates to be the next President of the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) set out their visions for the organisation during a special Q&A session broadcast this week.
Professor Alun Davies, Miss Rachel Hargest, Professor Gillian Leng and Professor Paul O’Flynn each answered a series of questions on topics chosen by RSM members.
Around 50 questions were submitted by members in the run-up to the event. A number were grouped together to ensure that as many as possible of the topics raised were addressed by the candidates.
Chaired by Victoria Macdonald, Health and Social Care Editor at Channel 4 News, the discussion was pre-recorded the previous week and then broadcast in full to members on Tuesday 25 April 2023.
It covered:
- what qualities and experience candidates would bring to the role
- keeping the RSM relevant
- making the RSM a ‘Society for all’
- expanding education and considering a digital future
- collaboration between the sections and central teams
- the RSM’s neutrality
- costs and the RSM’s financial position
- how they would dedicate time to the role
The event took place ahead of voting opening next week in a historic election for the Society; it will be the first time that the next RSM President will be chosen by the membership. Recent elections have been decided by a vote of Trustees.
Eligible members will be contacted during the first week of May 2023 by UK Engage, the independent organisation running the election on behalf of the RSM, to explain how they can cast their vote.
Members have been emailed a link to watch the Q&A session, please check your inbox and contact the membership team if you experience any issues.