Glasgow is leading the way in closing medicine’s gender gap, thanks to a new initiative which will be jointly launched today by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow and the University of Glasgow.
Despite the fact that over half the UK’s medical graduates are women, a significant gender gap remains in senior medical leadership roles. Currently only around 25% of medical directors and 36% of NHS Chief Executives are female, while women only represent approximately 40% of lecturers, 30% of senior lecturers, and only 15% of professors in UK medical schools. That’s why these institutions have joined forces to launch a new leadership development programme to help to nurture female leadership in the medical field.
“This isn’t just the right thing to do for women, equality benefits everyone in our health service,” said Professor Jackie Taylor, president of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow. “Research has shown that greater gender diversity can improve financial and organisational performance and decision making and increase productivity.”
“50% of our medical graduates are women, and yet they are underrepresented in leadership roles within our health service, to the detriment of the public and profession alike.” said Professor Anna Dominiczak, vice principal and head of College, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences at the University of Glasgow. “Hopefully, with the right support and guidance, we can nurture talented female clinical academics into the world-changing healthcare leaders of tomorrow.”
