Unity and leadership

Following a recent meeting of Council it was agreed that the College should reaffirm its strategic aims 1 and move forward to define a business plan for the next three years. In order to do this, Professor Tony Mundy has been asked to reconvene the strategy group to define the immediate priorities for 2006–2007, mindful of the requirements of Modernising Medical Careers and the intercollegiate surgical curriculum project. Council agreed that the strategic aim to provide strong leadership and support for all surgeons in all matters relating to their surgical practice, throughout their surgical careers in the interest of patients, should be the priority. This requires further development of the infrastructure of the College to support this aim. In all our aims we must be sure to put patients at the centre of our thinking. After all, that is what you and I do every Monday morning when we start the week. Unless we do so, the College cannot as a charity properly represent the interests of our patients. The College cannot achieve its objectives and negotiate successfully with government if it behaves like a trade union. We will support our fellows in the furtherance of their contribution to patient care. Thus, anything that prevents our fellows and members achieving the high standards set by the College is a legitimate area of concern and it is imperative that the College speaks out when this occurs