Reading doctor is named new head of the Royal College of Physicians
He'll lead the 40,000 strong organisation
Professor David Oliver, consultant physician in geriatrics and general medicine at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, has been elected the 122nd president of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP).
Professor Oliver has worked for the Trust for the past 18 years, and has previously been President of the British Geriatrics Society, RCP Clinical Vice President, and on the RCP’s Council from 2014-2019. He’s written a weekly column for the British Medical Journal for the past seven years, and is both a visiting fellow at the King’s Fund and a visiting professor at City University, London.
As president, he will lead 40,000 members as they face the UK’s current health challenges - gaps in the NHS workforce, pressures on care, the post-Covid recovery, and about health inequalities and preventable ill-health.
Dr. Oliver said:
“There was a very strong field of candidates who all would do an incredible job, and it was a very close contest. I feel honoured and privileged that the members put their faith in me, and I want to pay tribute to the other candidates. I’m really looking forward to getting started in September and in the meantime getting up to speed with the current demands of the role and meeting everybody.”
Dr. Janet Lippett, Chief Medical Officer at the Trust, said:
“We are honoured to be ‘housing’ the next President of the Royal College of Physicians and are very proud of David’s achievements. As a Trust we already know how skilled a consultant he is, and we know he’s going to show the same dedication and expertise as RCP President as he displays in his current role.”
Professor Oliver will take over from current president, Dr Andrew Goddard, on 13 September 2022, and serve a 4-year term.