Professor Derek Bell, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, commented:
“We are supportive of the direction of travel of Dr Calderwood’s report and welcome the exploration of the challenges in ‘Realistic Medicine’. We particularly endorse the proposals to avoid overtreatment and excessive prescribing, while increasing attempts to support individual and population lifestyle changes.
“The College is committed to playing its part in contributing to these lifestyle changes through its ‘Health and Wellbeing’ work stream, which is promoting issues such as increasing physical activity, reducing alcohol consumption and tobacco use, and preventing obesity.
“I am pleased to see the role of medical trainees being recognised as central to addressing the future challenges of the NHS. It is essential we continue to deliver high quality undergraduate training to attract more medical students and ensure they make the transition to post graduate careers in Scotland. Also key to this is ensuring that doctors at all levels in the profession are valued and recognised for the work that they do in delivering excellent patient care.
“The NHS is continually evolving and we welcome the recognition that at a time of increased pressures in the NHS, we need to work together across disciplines, with our partners in social and community care, and with our patients and their families to best meet the changing needs of our patients.”
ENDS
Contact: Lisa Rooke, RCPE - 0131 247 3688 / 07717 895628 / l.rooke@rcpe.ac.uk
Notes to Editors
