David Oliver has been elected the 122nd president of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP). He will take over from current president, Dr Andrew Goddard, on 13 September 2022, and serve a 4-year term.
Seven candidates stood in the online ballot, organised by Civica Election Services and a total of 3,125 votes were cast. Professor Oliver won with 1,302 votes: 79 more than the nearest candidate.
Professor Oliver commented:
“I am grateful that the fellows of the RCP have put their trust in me in what was a very close-run contest against some very able candidates. I hope I can repay their faith by serving the college and my fellow physicians over the next 4 years in what are some challenging times.”
Professor David Oliver was RCP Clinical Vice President and a trustee from 2016 to 2019 and on the RCP’s Council from 2014-2019. He is a consultant physician in geriatrics and general medicine at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Reading; a columnist for the British Medical Journal; visiting fellow at the King’s Fund; visiting professor at City University, London; and trustee of the Nuffield Trust
In his candidate statement Professor Oliver said:
“Physicians are crucial to delivering, improving and leading services, and in training the next generation. We face many challenges, exacerbated by COVID: demographic demands, serious gaps in capacity, clinical workforce and system performance, health inequalities and preventable illness. These impact on physician recruitment, training, retention and morale, including the work of SAS and training grade doctors
“We are a key ally for more than 30 specialty societies and faculties in the RCP family. We also remain committed to improving equality, diversity and inclusion. We should continue to support overseas RCP exam entrants and members who face distinct health system challenges in their own nation, or who come to work in the UK.”