New Physicians chief

A NEW president has been appointed to Edinburgh’s Royal College of Physicians.

Professor Neil Douglas will take over as president elect of the organisation, while Dr Roger Smith will be vice-president.

Professor Douglas is a professor of respiratory and sleep medicine at Edinburgh University and an honorary consultant physician at the new Royal Infirmary. He will take up his post as president of the college on March 1 next year.

Dr Smith is a consultant physician and cardiologist in the north of England and takes up his position immediately. Prof Douglas said: "It is an honour and privilege to follow Dr Niall Finlayson as the 127th president of this distinguished college. I will focus on improving standards of medical training and clinical care, both of which are under threat at present."