The Moynihan Lecture was endowed by Sir Berkeley George Andrew Moynihan, following his death in 1936 in memory of his mother. Whilst intended to be an annual lectureship given by a surgeon not connected with the medical school on a subject of their choosing, is has not been given in recent years. In honor of the 175th Anniversary of the University of Leeds, School of Medicine, the Moynihan Lecture has been revived.
It was delivered by Bernard Ribeiro (President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England) to a full house of consultants, surgical trainees and medical students from across the region in the Rubert Beckett Lecture Theatre on Thursday 26th October 2006 following a well-stocked reception. The topic selected by Mr Ribeiro is one close to many of our hearts: Training for a Career in Surgery.
In a frank and honest address, Mr Ribeiro warned that as strains on local hospital finances grow this will lead them to look for innovative staffing solutions, which may include reducing the number of consultants on the payroll. 'It is certain that, in the new world of payment by results and a commissioner-led service, the attainment of a CCT will not guarantee any surgeon a consultant appointment.'
He called for 'Surgeons to step up to the challenges which now face them and ensure that they are in a position to design, manage and provide safe and efficient services in an environment which is agreeable to the patient.' However he warned that the future roll of the consultant may not be one to which we are all accustomed, the old adage of 'a job for life' and being linked to one employer throughout one's career is no longer a reality. Mr Ribeiro also painted a picture of his view for the future, where surgical teams will operate with consultants each taking on different responsibilities where their individual strengths lie.
For more careers information, why not visit the careers section of our site.