What does the Deputy Honorary Secretary actually do? The 5 Ps

Dr Ruth Law is a Consultant in Integrated Geriatric Medicine and Clinical Lead for Care of Older People at Whittington Health NHS Trust, and the current BGS Deputy Honorary Secretary. She Tweets at @Ruth_E_Law.

For the last 18 months I have been the Deputy Honorary Secretary of the British Geriatrics Society, supporting Professor Anne Hendry in her Honorary Secretary role. The title is a bit of a mouthful and I am regularly asked ‘what is that thing that you do for BGS?’

A couple of weeks ago at the BGS Spring Meeting I finally had time to pause and reflect on the role and what it means to me…

Policy

As healthcare professionals we are the privileged keepers of our patients’ stories. We support them across the full breadth of their healthcare journey from their homes through the acute system and beyond. Yet so often ‘the system’ is not fit for purpose and we see an alternative narrative unfold with a dishearteningly different ending to what was hoped for. BGS policy work involves telling stories to influence change in the systems that frustrate us and our patients daily. As Deputy Honorary Secretary, I am able to bring my ideas and lived experience as a geriatrician to help develop the strategy of the organisation and lobby for change.

Perspective

Life in the NHS is very busy and the rising demands with ever decreasing resource can at times feel demoralising. I am fortunate to have wonderful colleagues and mentors that keep me on track - but I still hugely benefit from spending some time outside of my Trust. Working for an external organisation like the BGS is refreshing and brings perspective. I meet people from all over the country and get outside my echo chamber and away from the mood-hoovers. It is also a place where I am listened to and feel my ideas are valued. It’s fascinating to have the chance to understand the ‘bigger picture’ ideas that are currently influencing healthcare, and where I as a clinician and the services I lead fit within them.

People

We already know how lucky we are as geriatricians – we are a great bunch of people working alongside fantastic nurses, AHPs, pharmacists and more. The buzz in the room at the recent BGS Spring conference in Edinburgh was testament to this. The Deputy Honorary Secretary role has let me engage with those same great people across all four nations throughout the year - not just at conferences. It is such a relief to be exchanging ideas with other professionals who share the same approach and priorities.

The BGS team are also a group of fabulous people who have welcomed me warmly and supported my personal development in the role. Their skills in leadership, policy, media, communications and organisation continue to astound me. These are not professionals I would meet in my normal day job but their input is helping me to grow professionally. Working with them has opened my eyes to the range of communication channels the BGS uses, the opportunities to contribute to other organisations’ policy efforts and guidance, and the importance of member input. I have been media-trained and have been part of the development of BGS reports and publications, including the recent Blueprint.

Positivity

I am naturally a ‘glass half full’ person. In fact I have even been called a ‘pathological optimist’ but even Pollyanna would have found the last few years in healthcare a little tough. The Deputy Honorary Secretary role and the chance to participate more actively in BGS policy and events has lifted me out of the post-COVID slump for all the reasons described above. Yes, it takes some of my time - but it energises me and gives me back far more personally and professionally than it takes.

Which brings me to my final ‘Ps’- in November I will be stepping up to the full Honorary Secretary role and a new deputy is needed. If this reflection has made you think ‘I wonder if I could do that?’ can I encourage you to take the Plunge and Please apply!