FDS Response to diversity review

Last summer, Professor Neil Mortensen, President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England commissioned Baroness Helena Kennedy QC to conduct an independent review into the diversity of the leadership of the surgical profession and of the College. Today, the College has published the report of that review and a response from Professor Mortensen.

Responding to the review report, Mr Matthew Garrett, Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery, said:

“I would like to second the President’s thanks to Baroness Helena Kennedy QC, her review panel and all those who contributed to this report.

“The personal accounts of discrimination and poor treatment of surgical trainees in the report will make us all pause for thought about our own professional behaviours. I was personally shocked by the scale of the problem the report lays bare. There is no place for sexism, racism or discrimination of any form in surgery, the College, and by extension the Faculty of Dental Surgery.

“While the report focuses on our surgical colleagues, there are lessons and considerations that the leadership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery, and our membership, should take to heart. If we do not, we will not be able to attract and develop a diverse, talented and passionate workforce to our brilliant profession, and ultimately provide the level of care required by patients, those around them and the public.

“I wholeheartedly support the President’s response to the review report, and together with our Board, I will work to ensure that the Faculty aligns with the wider College to action Baroness Helena Kennedy QC’s 16-point plan.”