New HCSA President Dr Claudia Paoloni has praised HCSA's unique expertise on issues facing hospital doctors - and warned it will be needed now more than ever..
The Consultant Anaesthetist was welcomed to her new role this week by outgoing President Professor Ross Welch (both pictured) at an HCSA Council meeting in Bristol. Dr Paoloni, who had been Chair since 2016, will serve a three-year term in the post until 2022.
On her appointment as the first woman President in HCSA's 71-year history, Dr Paoloni said: “Given the number of female hospital doctors coming through the ranks in medicine I am delighted to be able to join the relatively small number of women holding a lead position in the medical world.
“When I joined the HCSA as a newly appointed Consultant, I was drawn to the specific knowledge, understanding and focus that the HCSA had for hospital doctors.
“Today, that expertise is required more than ever at a crucial time for our profession, from trainees just starting out to our most experienced medics.
“Under my presidency HCSA will be firmly focused on the well-being, recruitment and retention of our valuable hospital medical staff of all grades, and ensuring they have the time and support to deliver a health service fit for the 21st century.
“I am committed to representing all hospital medical staff with the goal of achieving the working conditions they require to carry out their role, and with the professionalism they have trained so hard for.”
Prof Welch said: "I very much hope that our first woman leader will ensure that gender equality remains at the top of our agenda, particularly at a time when, correctly, the gender pay gap across public and private organisations has attracted so much attention."
HCSA delegates also endorsed Dr Cindy Horst as the new Chair of HCSA - representing a historic first which sees women holding the top two elected roles in the organisation.