Sir Richard Thompson was today re-elected as president of the RCP in a ballot organised by the Electoral Reform Services (part of the Electoral Reform Society). Sir Richard has been president since 2010. The other candidate in the election was Dr Richard Taylor.
The total number of votes cast was 3,872, and Sir Richard won by 406 votes – 2,139 to 1,733 votes for Dr Taylor. The total number of ballot papers distributed was slightly under 15,000.
On learning of his re-election, Sir Richard said:
I would like to thank the Fellowship for electing me to continue to lead the RCP, particularly in this year when we will be facing major challenges due to the new structures and commissioning arrangements which will begin on 1 April, and when we shall be looking to implement the recommendations of the Francis report to improve patient care and patient safety. I am particularly looking forward to receiving the report of the Future Hospital Commission, which I commissioned in 2012.
- Before becoming president in 2010, Sir Richard’s former roles included RCP Treasurer, consultant physician and gastroenterologist at St Thomas’ NHS Trust, and the Queen's physician. He has served the College as MRCP Examiner, Censor, Councillor and sat on a number of specialist committees. He is a Governor at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Trust and sits on the boards of several charities.