Letters to the Editor: Doctors told to 'Stop moaning and get a grip'

FMLM responded to calls for doctors to 'stop moaning and take responsibility for improving the NHS'. Our letter was published in The Times on Wednesday 26 February 2020.

Sir, Professor Carrie MacEwen’s call for more leadership and engagement from doctors in transforming the NHS is welcome (“Stop moaning and get a grip, doctors told by their leader” 25 February). But this will not happen by chance. It will need concerted action and cultural change. The idea of doctors leading and managing change is still regarded as a ‘minority sport’, including by some in the medical profession. There is clear evidence that medical leadership improves outcomes and saves lives. We call for increased opportunities, flexibility and support for doctors to undertake leadership roles combined with clinical care. We call for standards of medical leadership to be adopted and the ethos of a clinically led NHS to be formally enshrined to promote excellence and drive essential improvements in UK healthcare.

Professor Mayur Lakhani, Chair

Mr Peter Lees, Chief Executive