DAUK’s Jenny Vaughan Memorial Conference has been hailed a huge success.
It was held in memory of our former chair and founding member, Dr Jenny Vaughan OBE.
We welcomed speakers and delegates in-person to the Wellcome Collection in London and online.
The conference featured discussions and presentations on the causes Dr Vaughan was passionate about.
Jenny Vaughan Memorial Conference
DAUK chair Ms Helen Fernandes said: “Thank you to everyone who made our inaugural conference such a success.
“It was a day to be inspired by the presentations and discussions, and also by the enthusiasm and commitment of our members.
“We have a lot of work to do.
“Doctors and the NHS are under more pressure than ever.
“But the conference demonstrated the power of collaboration and has certainly given me a renewed sense of purpose.”
One delegate said it was ‘one the most enjoyable conferences I have attended’.
Another said ‘congratulations on an excellent mix of highly informative sessions’.
Huge success
One delegate told us ‘excellent speakers, motivating and empowering’. Another said ‘it was a huge success’, while one simply said ‘I am not alone’.
The day was opened by Dr David Sellu, who talked about his life story and Jenny’s involvement in the quashing of his conviction for gross negligence manslaughter.
We heard from Dr Richard Marks, chair of Anaesthetists United, in the week the organisation started its legal challenge against the GMC over the regulation of physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs).
Physician associates
Dr Marks was taking part in a panel discussion on PAs and AAs.
Chaired by DAUK’s Dr David Nicholl, it also featured former DAUK chair Dr Matt Kneale; consultant orthopaedic surgeon Professor Scarlett McNally; and Janet Eastham, the Telegraph’s social and religious affairs editor, who has reported extensively on PAs.
DAUK sustainability lead Dr Matt Lee talked about the health impact of climate change and our work in this area.
Dr Shireen Kassam, consultant haematologist and honorary senior lecturer at King’s College Hospital, discussed plant-based eating for health and the planet.
Media panel
A panel discussion helping to demystify working with and in the media was really well received.
It featured contributions from Emma Wilkinson, vice-chair of the Medical Journalists’ Association; GP and media medic Dr Punam Krishan; and GP, broadcaster, and campaigner Dr Anita Raja.
The discussion covered whistleblowing, misinformation, and how to build a media or social media presence.
Prof McNally delivered a brilliant, quick-fire presentation on how to save the NHS.
The morning session was brought to a close by the hilarious award-winning comedian Dr Benji Waterhouse.
Law theme
There was a law theme to the second half of the day. Esteemed barrister Imran Khan KC spoke on the experience of injustice.
A talk on fitness to practise and freedom of speech by Andrea James, a legal expert in professional discipline and healthcare regulatory law, was really well received.
A presentation on fitness to practise myth busting by the GMC’s Dr Andrew Hoyle was followed by a lively Q&A.
DAUK’s GP committee members highlighted their work on behalf of general practice and the relationships they are building with other organisations.
Prize winner
Dr Neena Jha was the winner of the Jenny Vaughan Memorial Prize for her poem Who failed them?. Read more about the prize and Dr Jha’s poem.
NHS palliative care doctor and acclaimed author Dr Rachel Clarke brought the day to a fitting close with a brilliant talk on ‘Kindwashing and other bad medicine’.
Dr Clarke took to social media after the conference to discuss her speech. She said: “Huge thanks to the DAUK for inviting me to give the closing keynote of the Jenny Vaughan Memorial Conference.
“I spoke on a subject dear to my heart – the insidious ‘kindwashing’ of UK medicine.”
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