It has been a hugely busy few weeks for FMLM; there is much to update you on but our excellent graduation ceremony for our Clinical Fellows is the perfect place to start.
A huge congratulations to all the FMLM Clinical Fellows who graduated from the 2024/25 NHS England Chief Pharmaceutical Officer, Chief Dental Officer, Chief Sustainability Officer and National Medical Director Schemes on 16 July 2025. It was a privilege to celebrate your achievements at the Royal College of Anaesthetists.
Prof Dame Parveen Kumar’s inspiring keynote, “Life is not a Rehearsal”, reminded us that medicine is a privilege and responsibility, that mistakes offer vital lessons, and that happy teams are effective teams. “It’s never about the role, it’s about the goal,” she said – wise words for all leaders.
In her inaugural Opening Remarks as Chair FMLM, Dame Celia Ingham Clark stressed the importance of modest leadership, stewardship, and building trust through respect, compassion and diligence.
Scheme sponsors Richard Cattell, Jason Wong, Chris Gormley, Dr Marina Soltan and Prof Sir Steve Powis paid tribute to their cohorts. We then heard fantastic reflections from the Fellows on each of the schemes shared through personal testimonies, group reflections, photographs and even a poem! Takeaway points included: authenticity matters; turn self-doubt into purposeful strides; the value of shared curiosity and drive; the power of skills mix and networking: and real leadership opportunities present themselves when the environment is sub-optimal. We shall build upon your reflections, further develop popular new opportunities such as Olivier Mythodrama and use your critical friendship from the Fireside Chats to help make improvements.
Sincere thanks to all the host organisations, FMLM Board members and Advisors who supported the Schemes. Thank you and well done to all the FMLM team for administering the schemes and organising the Graduation Day so brilliantly.
It is fantastic that Clinical Fellows in all the 2024/25 schemes have shaped decisions that have positively impacted the whole UK population. It was clear everyone has really stepped into leadership. You can all now move forwards with competence and confidence. As you said yourselves: “Breathe deeply, pause, and now lead with intent”. You are the future leadership of the NHS. I’m confident it is in very good hands!
Enjoy the next Chapter, and becoming valued members of FMLM's Clinical Fellows Alumni!
It was a privilege to open the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ “Essential Leadership for Psychiatrists” event on 18 July. The session explored the national landscape of medical leadership, reflecting on how strong clinical leadership enhances every aspect of the NHS Quadruple Aim.
We discussed the pressures facing mental health leaders: growing caseloads, workforce shortages, and concerning population health trends – including the £300bn annual cost of poor mental health in England and 18.5 million public sector working days lost. With around one in four adults experiencing mental health issues each year, the need for sustainable leadership is urgent.
It is positive that mental health features prominently in the Ten Year Health Plan for England. The upcoming NHS England Leadership and Management Framework, Code and Standards – co-authored by FMLM – will support clinicians and managers at the front line.
Leadership matters more than ever – especially in mental health, where lives and futures are at stake.
I’m pleased to announce that FMLM has been invited to contribute to the General Medical Council’s review of its Leadership and Management professional standards for doctors — an essential framework first published in 2012 and last updated in 2024.
This important guidance sets out the professional responsibilities of all doctors, highlighting that leadership is an integral, shared, everyday duty — not limited to those in formal management roles. It reinforces that patient safety remains our primary responsibility, including during non-clinical work.
Key obligations include respectful collaboration, clear communication, supporting education and training, using resources ethically, and acting on concerns. The guidance distinguishes between legal (‘must’) and recommended (‘should’) duties, while offering a strong ethical foundation rooted in fairness, respect, and honesty.
Crucially, it provides practical, inclusive, and patient-focused advice for doctors across all specialties and settings. It also draws a clear distinction between our legal (‘must’) and recommended (‘should’) duties, and provides a strong ethical foundation in promoting honesty, fairness, respect, and equality.
Good clinical leadership improves experiences and outcomes for patients and service users; improves the health and wellbeing of those who provide and support care; improves the use of resources; and improves the health of the population and health equity.
FMLM is delighted to help the GMC make its Leadership and Management guidance even better as another means of supporting every doctor’s leadership journey.
This month I also had the pleasure to present to NHS Wales’ “Strengthening Medical and Clinical Leadership” Steering Group, co-chaired by CNO Sue Tranka and CMO Isabel Oliver.
Against the backdrop of the 2018 strategy A Healthier Wales and the recent Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) report chaired by Sir David Sloman, there is growing momentum to strengthen clinical leadership across NHS Wales. The MAG’s 29 recommendations, especially the calls for “a strong and empowered clinical leadership voice,” closely align with FMLM’s evidence base and values.
To try to assist delivery of these recommendations, it was a pleasure to discuss FMLM’s “Leadership in Health Care: A summary of the evidence base”, our “Leadership and Management Standards for Medical Professionals” and the BMJ Leader journal with the Steering Group. We considered how good leadership supports all aspects of the NHS Quadruple Aim and the 2018 strategy’s vision that: “everyone in Wales should have longer healthier and happier lives, able to remain active and independent, in their own homes, for as long as possible”. We reflected on current causes of strain upon NHS Wales, and discussed how these could be mitigated by further developing clinical leadership.
It was inspiring to see such alignment across disciplines. FMLM looks forward to supporting co-designed leadership development to help realise NHS Wales’ ambitions.
My thanks to Claire Shannon and the team at the RCoA for the wonderful President’s Dinner in July, which was a timely opportunity to connect with colleagues across specialties and professions. As the largest NHS hospital specialty, the Royal College of Anaesthetists plays a vital role in supporting high standards in anaesthesia, critical care and pain medicine for over 21,000 members and fellows. Like FMLM, it is also a committed member of the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change – with thoughtful touches like seed-impregnated, sustainable menus that will bloom in RCoA colours.
The evening included powerful reflections on the value of clinical leadership in shaping national policy. Discussions reinforced that:
- Clinical leaders can reimagine care to give patients greater choice and control.
- Technology will support change, but success depends on empowering frontline staff.
- Tackling health inequalities must be a top priority.
FMLM welcomes the proposed College of Executive and Clinical Leadership and looks forward to contributing to its development in collaboration with key partners.
Finally, FMLM warmly congratulates Victoria Tzortziou Brown OBE on her election as the next Chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners. When she takes office in November 2025, Victoria will become the first International Medical Graduate to hold this role – a landmark moment for RCGP and general practice.
A Founding Senior Fellow of FMLM, Victoria has long championed the vital role of leadership in improving patient care. In her academic role at Queen Mary University of London, she also supports the development of future GP leaders and remains a powerful advocate for sustainability through her work with the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change.
FMLM looks forward to deepening our partnership with Victoria as she helps lead general practice into a more equitable, compassionate, and sustainable future.
We also thank Kamila Hawthorne for her outstanding leadership and congratulate her on her new appointment as Chair of Trustees at the National Academy for Social Prescribing.
Best wishes,
Professor Rich Withnall
Chief Executive Officer, FMLM