24 April 2022


We’ve launched a pioneering development programme to find the next generation of rheumatology leaders.


Our Future Leaders programme, in partnership with top business school Hult Ashridge Education, develops rheumatology leaders who'll represent rheumatology nationally and change the way services are delivered. It's aimed at junior consultants, specialty trainees and the equivalent level for allied health professionals (AHPs), nurses, pharmacists and psychology roles working in a rheumatology service.


We’re looking for 18 BSR members to take part in the fully funded year-long course, which is a mix of in-person and online training, alongside peer support and independent study. We've developed this programme, a significant investment for BSR, partly in response to our workforce report, which highlights the opportunity to develop enhanced roles for AHPs, allowing them to extend their scope of practice and meet increasing service demands.


Apply by 30 June 2022


By the time participants complete the course, they’ll be able to:

  • Diagnose what’s getting in the way of making change in complex systems

  • Gain a new toolkit of methods, techniques, and approaches for leading change 

  • Be clear on how to take the next step when making change in complex systems and when working with groups

  • Have tested their personal toolkit and new skills, and developed personal systems change practice

  • Have led a change process within the health system

  • Be deeply connected to a multidisciplinary learning community of leaders


Dr Frances Hall, who co-led the BSR working group to develop the programme, says: “This course empowers members of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), including those who historically haven’t seen themselves in leadership roles. We need to promote leaders from all parts of the MDT so we can rise to the unprecedented challenges we’re facing in the health service. We’ll create leaders who can go on to influence the whole system, not just rheumatology services, helping to build the voice of rheumatology as a specialty.”


Dr Kanta Kumar, who also co-led the creation of the programme, said: “It’ll allow you to work with an experienced mentor of your choice and give you the opportunity to build a project, challenge yourself and innovate. We’re bringing to the forefront the healthcare professionals who are the strength of the rheumatology service.”


Guy Lubitsh, professor in leadership and psychology at Ashridge Business School, said: “This isn’t a typical leadership course, this is a distinctive programme to learn to implement change within a complex health system. It’ll help you to develop the skills and experience needed to apply tools to the specific area of rheumatology you want to transform.”


Our President Dr Sanjeev Patel commented: “This programme is career-changing and a unique opportunity for anyone in the MDT to take their career to the next level. This programme marks a significant investment from BSR to develop the future of rheumatology.”