Time flies: make the most of it!

Description

Dr Sean Pert looks over his shoulder, and then over the rainbow

Change’ has been the watchword over my period as Chair of Trustees. I have welcomed Steve Jamieson as our CEO and

overseen an increase in diversity in the board and other governance committees. RCSLT has developed strong links with our equality and diversity working groups, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard. I am eager to see what the graduates of our new, free RCSLT leadership programme go on to achieve.

In the immediate future we face unprecedented challenges in terms of post-pandemic waiting lists. We need to keep influencing commissioners, politicians and government to ensure service users’ voices are heard and our value as a professional is understood.

Next year we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the RCSLT. Early pioneers of our profession would have been amazed at the depth and breadth of our clinical practice, and the use of technology to enhance service users’ lives. From humble beginnings, we now have over 22,000 registered members, and an active student membership. Although most members still work in the NHS,
we have significant numbers in private practice, and we work in close partnership with ASLTIP.

We need to continue towards better access to our services and ensure that all we do is effective and co-produced. I am confident that the dedicated staff at

RCSLT, led by our dynamic CEO Steve Jamieson in partnership with the incoming Chair Irma Donaldson, will rise to this challenge. It has been a great pleasure to work alongside Steve and Irma, as well as all the board members and staff.

I often hear people say ‘RCSLT should do such and such’, forgetting that they are talking about themselves. RCSLT is your professional body, there to support you, as you support those who need our specialist help and advice. Volunteering for a committee, working group, participating in a Clinical Excellence Network, becoming a board member or other professional activity contributes to our community of expert shared knowledge. And engaging with the RCSLT will boost your knowledge of governance, influencing and leadership: all great qualities to list on your CV.

‘Change’ can seem like a loss of control and may feel negative. But if you become part of the change, it’s empowerment.
I hope you enjoy being part of the change as much as I do, to make a future where ideas and dreams come true. You are a vital member of our life-changing, remarkable, pioneering, scientific, collaborative, compassionate profession: a speech and language therapist.