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New RCGP chair tops list of most influential GPs in the UK

The incoming chair of the RCGP has topped Pulse’s Power 50 list after being praised for her ‘inspiring leadership’ and her ‘significant media impact’.

Birmingham GP Dr Helen Stokes-Lampard, who will take over from Dr Maureen Baker in November, joins GPC chair Dr Chaand Nagpaul and chair of the House of Commons health committee Dr Sarah Wollaston in the top three most influential GPs in the UK.

In her first interview as chair-elect of the RCGP, Dr Stokes-Lampard told Pulse that GPs would see things improve in general practice over the course of her chairpersonship: ‘If we don’t, general practice as we know it won’t exist and the NHS as we know it will be fundamentally shaken,’ she said.

She added that her priorities will be to bed in the additional investment promised in the GP Forward View and encourage medical graduates to join the profession. ’I want to tell the next generation “don’t be distracted by the current crisis – it will pass”. The crisis is very deep and very dark, but I genuinely believe the pendulum is starting to swing back.’

The sixth annual list from Pulse garnered 1,000 nominations from Pulse readers, the highest ever number, which were then researched by the Pulse team and 50 names were selected.

Health Education England chief Dr Simon Gregory, responsible for delivering 5,000 additional GPs by 2020, is included in the list for the first time, as is NHS England medical director Dr Arvind Madan, the architect for the General Practice Forward View.

Other new faces include GP Survival chair Dr Susie Bayley, Lincolnshire LMC chair Dr Kieran Sharrock, who is developing a s to alleviate the recruitment crisis and new Londonwide LMCs medical secretary Dr Katie Bramall-Stainer, who gave a passionate speech supporting a ballot on industrial action earlier this year.

High risers in the list include Scottish GPC chair Dr Alan McDevitt, who is leading negotiations on a new contract, and Dr Zoe Norris, Pulse columnist and the new GPC lead for sessional GPs.

In addition to the Power 50 list, Pulse has selected 10 rising stars in the profession and 10 local GP heroes, nominated for making a real difference in their communities.


          

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