College of Medicine: a new vision of healthcare

The College of Medicine was launched at the end of 2010 and this was its inaugural conference. Its core values; are science, service and healing, underpinned by the belief that best possible, sustainable and cost effective healthcare can only be delivered by bringing together clinicians, scientists and most importantly patients on an equal footing. A more patient-centred approach improves outcomes, particularly in chronic conditions. These values will be sustained by our inclusive and non tribal professional approach and grounded through our structure, in particular our patient's council. The keynote from Dean Ornish illustrated the vast potential for lifestyle change to impact gene expression and possibly survival in prostate cancer, whilst William Bird and Michael Depledge updated us on how an environment conducive to wellbeing and a self empowered exercise programme might be delivered within the UK. The College's Innovation Network provides benchmarks for local initiatives of excellence. Stephen Holgate was also able to contextualise the increase of allergic disease within our changing environment. Support for this new and innovative organisation was clearly expressed by both politicians and many senior members of the medical establishment and we look forward to the College being in the vanguard of the changing face of medicine.