AUGIS Response to the RCSEng Kennedy Report
AUGIS recognises the significance of The Kennedy Report*, the recent independent enquiry into the lack of diversity within the RCS England leadership and ecosystem. The AUGIS Executive Council has proactively scrutinised their own organisation and acknowledges that we too have work to do with respect to creating a more diverse and representative leadership structure.
We are working closely with the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI) and the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (ACP) and shortly all three societies will release a detailed programme, with time frame, of how we will tackle these issues.
AUGIS is keen to reassure its membership of its commitment to be a leading organisation in inclusivity and ethical practices, and has constituted an EDI committee with representation for executive responsibility.
In line with the recommendations from the Kennedy report we pledge to amend our electoral processes in the following way;
- AUGIS Council will consider that all potential candidates for the posts of President and Executive committee will be presented to the whole membership for vote
- The AUGIS Leadership and Council membership will reflect the diversity of the wider medical workforce.
- AUGIS Council, with immediate effect, should include representatives from the currently underrepresented groups within AUGIS, including a SAS representative to give due recognition to their valued contribution to our UGI workforce.
To reflect our commitment to change towards an inclusive and progressive society we also adopt the following recommendations;
- AUGIS will provide a more structured mentorship programmes for young surgeons during their training with respect to both career progression and leadership skills, to enable those from more diverse backgrounds to gain the necessary skills and experience to adopt leadership positions in the future.
- With immediate effect it will no longer be acceptable to have panels at any AUGIS event that do not reflect the diversity of the UGI workforce.
- AUGIS will provide a transparent action plan outlining our objectives including the necessary constitutional changes to create an environment that is inclusive, diverse and fair, and values gender equality and promotes anti-racism at all levels within the organisation.
- AUGIS is committed to creating a natural inclusive home for the whole of Great Britain and Ireland UGI surgery that will protect and maintain the highest surgical professional standards for the benefit of our members and importantly our patients.
10th May 2021
Giles Toogood, President of AUGIS
Nick Maynard, President Elect of AUGIS
Naheed Farooq, AUGIS Council
Arin Saha, AUGIS Council
*The Royal College-Our Professional Home. An independent review on diversity and inclusion for the Royal College of Surgeons of England, an exciting call for radical change.