Glasgow is leading the way in closing medicine’s gender gap, thanks to a new initiative which was jointly launched Wednesday 5th June 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.

Their new Developing Female Medical and Academic Leaders Scholarship Programme has opened. Successful applicants will receive:

• Assessment of personal leadership style through 360’ Feedback
• Leadership development
• Mentorship training and a personal mentor, who will be a senior female medical and/or academic leader
• Action learning sets –experiential learning and support throughout the duration of the programme
• Networking opportunities with peers, colleagues and senior female and academic leaders
• Complimentary access to a range of non-clinical skills and human factors learning and development opportunities

Speaking as she launched the programme at an event at the University of Glasgow, Professor Jackie Taylor, President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow said:

“I’m proud that our College is taking action today to help close medicine’s gender gap and assist women to reach their full potential as leaders.

“Our NHS is currently facing a range of significant challenges, so it’s essential that we tap into the widest possible pool of talent and utilise the skills that women have.

“This isn’t just the right thing to do for women, equality benefits everyone in our health service. Research has shown that greater gender diversity can improve financial and organisational performance and decision making and increase productivity.

“I look forward to working with our successful applicants when they are announced later this year”.

Professor Anna Dominiczak, Vice Principal and Head of College, College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences at the University of Glasgow said:

“The University of Glasgow is pleased and proud to be involved in this scheme with the RCPSG to reduce medicine’s gender gap. Gender equality is an issue of great importance to the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences. 50 percent 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.

“We look forward to welcoming applicants to this very important and exciting initiative as we strive to redress the gender gap in our health system. Hopefully, with the right support and guidance, we can nurture talented female clinical academics into the world-changing healthcare leaders of tomorrow.”

Source: Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow