Dr Ruth Law

I am proud to be a geriatrician and a member of The British Geriatrics Society. If elected, I pledge to listen to members across the multidisciplinary workforce, to be a strong positive advocate for older people and to cement and grow our reputation as a key voice in influencing healthcare policy across the four nations. As President Elect, I would continue to deliver the BGS Strategy which has raised our national influence and grown our membership to 5000. For the last three years I have worked in the deputy and honorary secretary roles at BGS. I have a clear understanding of the processes and good relationships with the people that keep the society running. I am nominating myself for the post of President Elect as it brings together my love of the specialty with my skills in leadership, influencing and teamwork.

A Frontline Clinician

I currently work clinically in both community and acute settings. I understand the challenges you are facing daily across the patient pathway. We are experiencing a time of unprecedented pressure in the NHS and social care but there is growing recognition that our speciality is valuable and needed. In collaboration with our colleagues in general practice, we are at the forefront of innovative developments that are changing the way care is delivered such as Hospital at Home, and many integrated place-based services. With my broad experience I can be a unifying voice to help BGS drive forward the urgent need for long term solutions in health and social care that meet the needs of our ageing population.

A Committed Educator

It is the members that drive our work at BGS and we know that workforce and training remains a critical issue for many. The strength of the society lies in the multidisciplinary nature of the membership bringing a wealth of perspectives from primary and secondary care. I remain committed to trainees across the MDT- as an educational supervisor for doctors, nurses and AHPs and through my roles in examining. As President Elect, I would work hard to listen to the views of colleagues in training in all disciplines and to motivate them to ensure that geriatrics continues to attract the growing and diverse workforce needed for the future. I recognise the importance of consolidating and increasing the footprint and impact of academia in geriatric medicine through the work of BGS and would support this as President Elect. Despite the challenges we are all facing in workforce, service delivery, training and research I remain positive about the future of our speciality and would bring that optimism to the Presidency.

An Experienced Leader

Through my role as Honorary Secretary, I understand the priorities and strategic direction of BGS and will capitalise on influencing opportunities through my existing relationships across health and social care. If elected, I would feel confident to meet and lobby senior healthcare leaders and politicians to improve healthcare for older people across the four nations. Medical leadership can be as challenging as it is rewarding but I have proven myself to be a resilient systems leader able to balance the pressures of clinical work with the demands of a senior role. I am known as a positive and collaborative colleague who encourages their team, and a strong communicator that is able to articulate a passion for our specialty. I will work hard to ensure members feel valued and consulted, to continue the fantastic work of the existing BGS officers and to ensure the voice of our specialty, on behalf of our patients, continues to be heard.