IDF on a Spring advance
By Robin Stride
The Independent Doctors Federation (IDF) is surging ahead with a total revamp in its bid to extend its influence and boost services for a fast-growing young membership.
Consultants and GPs at its annual general meeting (AGM) on the first day of Spring were told of a 15% increase in members last year – bringing the total to 1,313 and up 184 on the previous year.
Attracting young independent practitioners: the new leaders of the IDF’s social and networking arm, ‘The Indees’ (from left) Dr Ian Cole, Dr Shaima Villait and Dr Jonathan Hoare
Leaders, aiming for 500 more new members this year, reported a big increase in applications from outside London.
And they set out a list of impressive plans – some already operational – designed to make the IDF a cutting-edge body ‘delivering great results for members in lots of different ways’.
These include:
➲ Help for consultants, as well as GPs, to cut indemnity costs;
➲ A new female group: women now make up 23% of the membership;
➲ Business services support from a team of professional firms;
➲ A second annual London Healthcare Conference on 18 June to highlight the independent sector’s innovative work;
➲ Meetings in Manchester and Newcastle-upon-Tyne for members in the north;
➲ More engagement with stakeholders in private healthcare and beyond;
➲ A new leadership team for The Indees – a social/networking arm for the ‘young at heart’;
➲ Seminars to educate and inform the public.
More younger members are being targeted, there is fresh new branding for the organisation, a promotional video and an improved, responsive website is due in the Autumn.
A study weekend in October, in Milan, is expected to be oversubscribed, but many more breakfast meetings are planned.
The IDF last year held 55 mandatory training and educational, events.
Sue Smith
In a written report, chief executive Sue Smith said a key finding of a root and branch review of the organisation was that the IDF needed to be seen as more contemporary and forward-thinking to attract more younger members.
She said: ‘Younger, tech-savvy doctors increasingly expect relevant, tailored and highly targeted communication, delivered instantly through contemporary portals.’
IDF president Dr Brian O’Connor reported: ‘As the IDF continues to expand, not only will we embrace change but we wish to lead.’
He said the body had always been open and transparent and would continue to place great emphasis on operating ‘in a culture of equality, diversity and transparency with respect to all’.
President-elect Dr Neil Haughton said interesting times were ahead as the IDF evolved into a modern representative organisation.
The AGM was told there had been a steady rise in the number of appraisals done by the federation.
It had to increase its number of appraisers by nine, to 45. It carried out nearly 700 appraisals, 556 for members who were connected to the IDF and 130 for members with a higher prescribed connection.
Rooms for appraisals can now be booked at the federation’s new headquarters at Lettsom House, Chandos Street, London W1.
- See reports from the IDF meeting. Click here