Indian-origin Dr Mumtaz Patel has become the 123rd president of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP), a prestigious position leading the UK’s professional medical organisation with 40,000 worldwide members. Born to Indian immigrant parents in Lancashire, north-west England, Dr Patel works as a consultant nephrologist in Manchester.
The RCP announced her as the “first Indo-Asian Muslim president” and the fifth female leader in the organisation’s history since the 16th century. “Dr Mumtaz Patel has been elected as the 123rd president of the Royal College of Physicians. She has promised to ‘modernise the college and re-establish the RCP as the voice of our membership and of medicine’,” it said in its statement.
The presidential election concluded on Monday, with her four-year tenure’s commencement date pending confirmation. “As president, I will lead the RCP to be the best organisation it can be, supporting our members throughout every career stage to deliver the best possible healthcare for our patients,” said Patel.
“I will bring passion, commitment, vision, a values-driven approach and more than 20 years of RCP experience to the role,” she added to her statement.
Since June 2024, Patel has served as RCP senior censor and vice-president for education and training, whilst acting as president. Her presidential duties include chairing the RCP Council and Board of Trustees membership.
Dr Diana Walford CBE, chair of the RCP Board of Trustees, also praised Patel saying, “I look forward to working with Dr Patel in this important next chapter in the RCP’s long history… The Board of Trustees will do all it can to support Dr Patel in her work to lead and modernise our college.”
Patel’s extensive involvement with the organisation includes various educational positions such as training programme director and regional adviser. She currently holds the position of NHS England post-graduate associate dean in the north-west, with recognised achievements in education, training, assessment and research.
Her campaign focused on modernising the organisation and re-establishing the RCP as the “voice of our membership and of medicine”.
Professor Jugdeep Dhesi, President of the British Geriatrics Society, acknowledged Patel’s significant responsibilities, emphasising the importance of addressing elderly patient care through comprehensive, person-centred approaches. “The president must show strong and decisive leadership to drive real change and ensure the health system starts working more effectively for those who use it most,” he said.
