Changing the Culture

In this episode, Emma Stapleton speaks with three influential board members of the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM) about issues of diversity, inclusivity, merit and advocacy in a long-established institution, as well as in our own positions in the wider NHS and the global healthcare community.

Dr Claire Bayntun is a clinical consultant in global public health and the director of global leadership programs. She is accredited as an executive coach and assessor of emotional intelligence and coaches health leaders from around the world. She is also an assistant professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and an honorary consultant at Public Health England. Claire’s work at the RSM includes chairing the education committee and leading the development of the RSM COVID-19 series of webinars.

Professor Nikhil Patel is an experienced senior consultant cardiologist who was appointed in 1999 as the youngest consultant cardiologist in the country, and is now a deputy chief of medicine and cardiovascular lead. Prof Patel pioneered new technologies with his eminent colleagues, many of which have been featured in the media. He also undertakes a range of educational roles, overseeing training programs and supervising research degrees. He was elected as chair of the RSM’s academic board in 2019.

Dr Sarah Filson is an infectious diseases doctor of Ghanaian origin. She has been training in London and is currently at Harvard studying for a masters in public health. She is  a trainee member of the RSM board of trustees where she plays a hugely influential role in the forward-looking direction of the RSM and in widening access to medicine.

The panel discuss the challenge of trying to engage the next generation in a 200-year old institution such as the RSM. By focussing on equality, diversity and inclusion to reflect societal changes and what's happening in the NHS,  the RSM aims to enrich what it has to offer to its members, to society, and to the global medical community. We learn how the board is actively monitoring these issues, as well as lobbying and advocating to address health inequalities that have a direct impact on clinical outcomes. 

The conversation also covers the importance of diversity in creating stronger teams and improving the health and wellbeing of communities. We readdress perceptions around tokenism and imposter syndrome in leadership roles and discuss the concept of Allyship – supporting people to take their place at the table. 

Our panel share their personal insights and advice on what we can do to promote diversity and address inequality. Simple but powerful tools such as compassion and finding common ground are sometimes the most effective in bringing about change.

Get in touch

WENTS & Friends i

WENTS & Friends is the official podcast for Women in ENT Surgery UK (entuk.org/wents-uk).
Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and X

Email: wents@entuk.org any questions or suggestions on topics you may have for future episodes.

Thank you to all of our guests for this season and to Karl Storz UK and the ENT UK Foundation for sponsoring season two of Went and Friends, the podcast of Women in ENT Surgery.

This season’s episodes are hosted by Alex Ashman. Produced and directed by Heather Pownall @heathershub of Heather's Media Hub Ltd.
The podcast was created by Ekpemi Irune. The rest of the team includes Anna Slovick, Katherine Conroy, Marie Lyons, Tanya Ta, and Alex Ashman.