Dr Andrew Goddard, president of Royal College of Physicians, has been knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Dr Goddard will shortly complete his 4-year term as president but has held senior roles at the RCP for 20 years. He has continued working as a gastroenterologist at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton throughout his term as president, during which he has led the RCP’s 40,000 global members through the most challenging times most will experience in their careers. Dr Goddard has played a significant role helping to shape the NHS’s response to COVID-19, as well as being a powerful voice for all the health care professionals involved.
The citation for his award reads:
“He has been a powerful advocate for workforce development, diversity and inclusion and reduction in health inequalities. Much of his RCP activity has been unpaid, including all his charity associated roles. As well as being one of the UK’s leading gastroenterologists, he has had a long career in workforce development.
“His lasting contributions include the annual workforce census of physicians, creation of the Faculty of Physician Associates and practical support for the wellbeing of trainees and other doctors. The latter has been recognised by honorary fellowship of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine. As RCP Registrar he oversaw modernisation of the governance of the organisation, the creation of a new charter for members and a re-writing of the centuries old Bye-Laws.”
Dr Goddard said: “I'm completely humbled by this honour as all the work I have been involved with over the past 20 years has involved so many others. I do, though, see it as a recognition of all the physician workforce did in response to the pandemic and the issues it highlighted, including health inequality and workforce shortages. The pandemic brought out the best in physicians and I have never been prouder to be one.
“No-one can even start to make an impact at a national level without many people working, usually unseen, to support them. I would like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to all the staff at the RCP, my long-suffering clinical and admin colleagues in Derby and my even more long-suffering family for all they have done for me over the years.
“I have been so very fortunate to work with many brilliant and inspirational people in my career, some of whom are sadly no longer with us. I hope their contributions are seen in what we have achieved together: this honour would not have been possible without their work, love and support.”
Congratulations to all RCP fellows and members receiving Honours.