Yvonne Carter

Today’s blog is devoted to just one subject.

This has been a very sad week for us at the College, and for me personally. Yvonne Carter, Dean of Warwick Medical School and Pro-Vice Chancellor of Warwick University, has died, and yesterday I attended the funeral in Kenilworth as a friend and on behalf of the College as a whole.

I’ve known Yvonne for years; in practice, College and university. Throughout the years she's been a great friend and colleague. She was a determined woman with a wicked sense of humour.

Yvonne was a role model for GPs and, in particular, for women doctors. She was a great teacher, brilliant researcher and highly effective leader.

She died aged 50 - far too young - having battled breast cancer for many years. She leaves her husband Michael, her son Christopher and her sister Alma. My thoughts go out to them.

The funeral, held at the St Francis of Assisi church in Kenilworth was packed with her many friends and colleagues from across this country and further afield.

The family have requested that contributions in memory of Yvonne are made to Cancer Research or the Yvonne Carter Memorial Fund. The Yvonne Carter Memorial Fund is being established at Warwick University with the intention of benefiting the support and recognition of Warwick Medical School students throughout their studies.

Donations to the Yvonne Carter Memorial Fund can be made online. Cheques should be made payable to ‘The University of Warwick’ and sent to FREEPOST RSBC-JAAG-TEST, Development & Alumni Relations, University of Warwick, University House, Kirby Corner Road, COVENTRY, CV4 8UW.

The First Post

This is my first post in the blogosphere proper - thank you for joining me

You may be aware that i have been publishing messages and sending them to members of the RCGP over the past two years - indeed i have also published them on the RCGP website - but now i plan to make them available online so that i can share ideas and concerns and receive your thoughts and comments

This is a short post to say hello and test the system! The College IT system is not up to blogging so i have opted to break free!

And why you may ask use the title The Point of Kairos well it comes from a book written by my good friend Roger Neighbour - the Inner Apprentice - Roger's Inner Consultation helped me to understand the consultation while his Inner Apprentice helped me on my road to becoming an educator - thank you Roger!

Kairos is the Greek word for the right time for action - well I believe that the time is right and we have reached in Roger's words the 'critical moment when something significant is poised to happen'.

The financial crisis has focussed the minds of politicians and those running the NHS. The departments of health in all four countries that make up the UK are going to be under severe financial pressure regardless of who wins the election. But, there are tremendous opportunities for GPs to influence what health care will look like in the future. The time has come for strong medical leadership across the UK - lets seize the moment and ensure that we continue to have a National Health Service that we can be proud of.