Doctors Association UK (DAUK) is inviting entries for the second Dr Jenny Vaughan Memorial Essay Prize.
Dr Vaughan OBE, DAUK’s former chair, advocated for a ‘Learn Not Blame’ culture in the NHS.
She campaigned throughout her career for a fairer, safer NHS in which healthcare professionals could learn openly from mistakes rather than defaulting to individual blame.
This year’s essay theme is When things go wrong in healthcare, what does justice look like?
Writers are asked to consider what justice should mean when healthcare goes wrong — for patients, families, healthcare professionals and the wider system.
A prize of £400 is available for the winning entry, which will be published on the DAUK Substack.
Send your entries for the Dr Jenny Vaughan Memorial Prize to contact@dauk.org before the deadline on Saturday 10 October.
DAUK co-chair Ms Helen Fernandes paid tribute to Jenny’s husband Matt Dunckley, who sadly died earlier this year.
Ms Fernandes said: “It was really hard news to hear, especially coming so soon after Jenny’s sad passing, and our condolences go to their sons and loved ones.
“While Jenny was a driving force for DAUK, Matt quietly did lots of work in the background.
“I know after the first Jenny Vaughan Memorial Prize, Matt was keen for that to continue so we’re proud to say that the essay will continue in Jenny’s name.”
Tickets are now available for DAUK’s joint conference with Doctors For The NHS (DFNHS) on Saturday 10 October at Bedern Hall in York.
In-person attendance is £50 per delegate limited to 50 places. Book your place now.
The conference will also be streamed live to enable colleagues to participate remotely. Online attendance is £25 and places are available to book now.