Dr Ramesh Arasaradnam, RCP Academic Vice President, draws out key themes from the RCP manifesto for the future of the NHS.
With an election looming the RCP has just published its manifesto, which you can read here. It is structured around five key themes: workforce enhancement, service transformation, prevention of ill health, sustainability and innovation.
Innovation and research is very close to my heart. It’s part of my remit here at the RCP, and affirmed by my previous roles within my own specialty (British Society of Gastroenterology [BSG]) and being an NIHR/MRC recipient. During the COVID-19 pandemic I designed the IONIC clinical trial. Like many others who are involved in trials, the pandemic truly reinforced the need for quality clinical research.
This can’t be an isolated activity carried out far from the busy ward – it needs to be fully embedded in everyday medical practice, and all healthcare professionals should have the opportunity to participate.
We know from the annual census carried out by the RCP and our sister colleges in Glasgow and Edinburgh, that only four in 10 consultant physicians are currently involved in research. Those who are not, but would like to be, told us that they lacked the time, support and confidence. This must change.
We must see time allocated for participation in research activities, supported by a broader culture of research excellence. Ensuring research is a normal part of everyday practice for all clinicians is key to keeping the NHS ahead of the game in medical advances, and therefore providing our patients with the very best and latest in care.
It can also be part of the key to improving job satisfaction – and hopefully contribute to staff retention.
On sustainability, the RCP manifesto calls for bold action to tackle climate change and protect public health. Climate change is the biggest threat to human health. 2023 was the hottest year on record, with the direct health impacts of climate change projected to take 250,000 lives annually by 2050.
Last year we published the RCP view on healthcare sustainability and climate change and we are a founding member of the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change, which brings together doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals to advocate for better responses to climate change that protect and promote public health.
A just transition from fossil fuels must be a priority, redirecting all funding and subsidies to renewable energy sources and technologies. We need initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of healthcare delivery in the NHS with appropriate funding, including capital investment where necessary. Here we have formed close links with Green NHS and the NIHR in terms of sustainable research and supporting the Wellcome concordat for environmental sustainability of research and iInnovation practice.
The RCP has called for stronger action on air pollution. Air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions share many of the same sources – reducing emissions will improve air quality, supporting significant public health benefits and efforts to tackle health inequality.
Focusing on prevention has positive environmental impacts too; healthier populations reduce the emissions and waste generated by treating ill health. We will soon be launching the green physician toolkit – do look out for this.
We are also working with medical colleges across the world – this is a global health emergency and collective action is vital. As physicians, it is our duty to create change within our health systems and advocate for our patients’ health.
We must also look at our own ‘back yard’ and that’s why the RCP is currently reviewing its travel and energy policies.
The election is not the end of the story. We will continue to work with the new government, the NHS, policymakers and innovators across the world to campaign for better health and care.
If you are interested in finding out more about the RCP’s policy and campaigns work, or getting involved, please drop me a line: ramesh.arasaradnam@rcp.ac.uk.