News : 25 March 2002

The next President of the RCP is....

Professor Carol Black CBE MD FRCP FACP F Med Sci has been elected President of the Royal College of Physicians on College Day Monday 25 March 2002. Professor Black, who is currently Consultant Rheumatologist and Medical Director, Royal Free Hospital, London, will take over from current President Professor Sir George Alberti on 25 July.

Professor Black, currently Clinical Vice-President of the College, was elected from a field of 11 candidates by Single Transferable Vote, organised by Electoral Reform Services. This is the first time the College has used a postal voting system, and this has led to a massive increase in the numbers of Fellows voting. The total number of valid votes cast was 4,193 out of 10,466 ballot papers sent out on 11 February 2002.

Professor Black is the second woman to become President of the RCP; the first was Dame Margaret Turner-Warwick, who was President from 1989-1992.

Professor Black was delighted at being elected:
"Great trust has been placed in me by Fellows from all over the world to support their needs and aspirations. These aspirations encompass the creation of the right conditions in which doctors can deliver high quality medicine to the benefit of their patients and have a satisfying career with the infrastructural and educational facilities to support all this. The tasks ahead will not be easy. Challenges for the College include the future of postgraduate medical education and the need to form better relationships with the patients and the public.
"The College needs to reach out to physicians wherever they are, further strengthening our regional offices, developing regional educational programmes, and making the College
a reality for our fellows and members wherever they may be practicing. I shall be totally committed to serving the fellows and members throughout the world, and I will endeavour to build a healthy and robust relationship with government, the Department of Health, other Royal Colleges, Faculties and numerous other bodies."


A full analysis of the voting procedure and the progress of each candidate through the STV system will be available on the private area of the site, accessible to Fellows and Collegiate Members from lunchtime on Tuesday 26 March.

Journalists: For further information on any story, please contact Linda Cuthbertson, Press and PR Manager on 020 7935 1174 ext.254 or e-mail Linda.Cuthbertson@rcplondon.ac.uk.

This page last updated on May 31, 2005