St George’s consultant elected President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists
Jean-Pierre van Besouw, consultant anaesthetist at St George’s Hospital, has been elected President of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA), the professional body responsible for the specialty of anaesthesia throughout the United Kingdom.
Jean-Pierre, known to friends and colleagues as J-P, qualified in 1981 at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London. He trained at St Bartholomew’s as well as St George’s, Great Ormond Street and the Royal Perth Hospital in Australia. He has been a consultant at St George’s Hospital since 1990.
Outside of the College he is a past Chairman of the Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthetists and has been a member of a number of national working parties on cardiothoracic related issues. He is a reviewer for a number of anaesthetic journals and a member of the British Journal of Anaesthesia Board. He has published articles and lectured widely on cardiothoracic and examinations related topics.
Jean-Pierre said: “I am delighted to be offered the opportunity to lead the College at what is an important time for healthcare policy in the UK. As an existing member of the College’s Council I have already been involved in the development and delivery of a number of strategic policies in relation to training, examinations, recruitment and workforce planning. I look forward to working on behalf of the profession to further develop standards in training and education and raise the public profile of anaesthetists and the vital role they play in the safe provision of modern healthcare.”
St George’s chief executive Miles Scott said: “St George’s recognises the wider work in the NHS undertaken by the Royal Colleges and we are very proud to have supported Jean-Pierre in achieving this prestigious role with the RCoA.”
Jean-Pierre’s term as President of the RCoA will begin in September 2012.
Notes to editors
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