New Royal College of Physicians Vice President for Wales

29 March 2023

Dr Hilary Williams, a consultant in medical oncology at Velindre Cancer Centre, has been elected as the Royal College of Physicians’ (RCP) next Vice President for Wales.

The RCP is a professional membership body with a core mission to drive improvements in health and healthcare through advocacy, education, and research.

A clinical lead for emergency cancer care in Wales, Dr Williams will begin her term in the prestigious role on 1 July 2023 and she’s passionate about supporting physicians nationwide.

Dr Williams, RCP Vice President-Elect for Wales, said:

“I joined the RCP because I want to work in an NHS where doctors feel valued. When I started my medical career in Sheffield, patients were not nursed in corridors, ambulances rarely queued, and we were not allowed to move patients in the middle of the night to free up beds.

"I am keen to listen to members and fellows and work with our network of regional advisers, college tutors and trainee representatives to come up with collaborative solutions that support the medical workforce, reduce variation in care, and maintain high professional standards across the Welsh NHS.

“It is currently difficult to imagine an NHS where teams working in acute medicine have sufficient time to reflect and to enjoy caring for their patients. We need more staff on the ground, across all specialties and professions, and I want to work with other professional bodies to drive change and improve outcomes at scale and pace. Clinicians must show leadership on the future of our NHS, only then can we ensure that our patients receive the high-quality care they deserve.”

In her new role, Dr Williams wants to work on behalf of RCP fellows and members to campaign for more NHS staff, higher standards of care, and a better patient experience for people in Wales. The sentiment is shared by Velindre University NHS Trust, which holds responsibility for Velindre Cancer Centre and the Welsh Blood Service.

Dr Jacinta Abraham, Executive Medical Director at Velindre University NHS Trust, said:

“I am delighted to congratulate Dr Williams on her new role as RCP Vice President for Wales. This is a significant achievement, and I am confident that her effective leadership and drive to improve, will make a difference to both her colleagues and patients across the country.”

About Dr Williams

Dr Williams trained in Sheffield before completing a PhD in Edinburgh in immunology and oncogenic viruses, and then worked as a registrar in South West England. She became RCP regional adviser for South East Wales in 2018 before election to RCP Council in 2022. An active founding member of the UK Acute Oncology Society and the national Wales Cancer Network lead for acute oncology, Dr Williams is also a mentor for the RCP Women in Leadership programme. In her spare time, she enjoys walking in the Welsh mountains.

For interviews or more information, please contact: lowri.jackson@rcp.ac.uk