The President of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), Professor Mumtaz Patel, visited the Ulster Hospital to meet medical staff and hear directly about developments within the hospital and across the South Eastern Trust. The aim of the visit was to help inform RCP policy, enhance support for members and ensure the experiences of local Clinicians are represented at Government level.
Dr Patel was joined by RCP Registrar, Dr Omar Mustafa and RCP Northern Ireland Advisers, Dr Fred McElwaine and Dr Nashid Alam during the visit.
Speaking at the visit, Professor Patel said, “It has been a lovely experience visiting the Ulster Hospital. We started by meeting the wider senior leadership team and heard how many of the resident Doctors have been here for some time and some have returned to work in the South Eastern Trust, recommending the hospital to others.
“Having spoken to Consultant staff, they said similar things about the people and the working environment. Of course there are pressures everywhere with the flow of patients, we hear that in other places too, but the positive thing I heard was that Consultant staff feel heard by the senior leadership team to drive positive change.
“There are system pressures, national pressures and funding pressures, but people are working together to drive that change. There is more that we can do to support our colleagues as well.”
South Eastern Trust Chief Executive, Roisin Coulter, welcomed Professor Patel and the RCP Team, adding, “We were delighted to host Professor Patel and her colleagues and to showcase the outstanding work taking place across our hospital and the Trust. Our medical teams continue to demonstrate exceptional professionalism and commitment in the face of significant pressures.
“Working alongside the RCP is vital to ensure their voices are heard, both in shaping clinical policy and in influencing system-wide improvements at Regional and national levels. We look forward to continuing this close partnership.”